IN the context of their Europa League tie against Unirea Urziceni, it may have done nothing more than add a touch of gloss to a professional Liverpool performance.
But Steven Gerrard’s goal at a muddy Steaua Stadium on Thursday evening could yet prove significant for both the skipper and his team this season.
On a personal note, it moved Gerrard beyond Alan Shearer as the leading British goalscorer in European competition while providing further evidence of a return to form after a campaign hampered by niggling injuries.
And for Rafael Benitez’s side, it ensured the end of a miserable run of 29 games without scoring more than twice in a game that reached its nadir with the pitiful goalless draw with Manchester City last Sunday.
The desperate affair brought into sharp focus Liverpool’s creative failings this season that prompted Champions League elimination and are threatening their attempts to secure an immediate return to the competition.
Those efforts resume tomorrow when the Anfield outfit entertain an improving Blackburn Rovers, and Gerrard is determined the team now kick on having rediscovering their shooting boots.
“It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough in games,” says the captain. “To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances and we did that against Unirea.
“That’s what made the win so pleasing. Now we have got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season.
“We’ve got to be good defensively but have a bit of bottle and be a bit risky in the final third as well. You have got to keep making chances.
“It has been really difficult. The team has been defending really well and being solid. But we haven’t been good enough going forward and we haven’t been creating enough, so it was nice to get three goals.
“It does play on your mind. The most important thing is to defend well and keep clean sheets but it is also important that you do well going forward.
“What it showed is that we can defend well. We conceded a goal from a set piece but in general play we were really hard to break down. When you add that to being as creative as we were going forward, that was the key.”
Gerrard adds: “Do we have a lot to look forward to this season? I certainly hope so. The idea is to finish the season strongly for both myself and the team. The Europa League is very important for us because we are out of everything else. This is our last chance of silverware and we have got to give it our all.
“We want to give it maximum effort to reward the fans with a trophy. Everyone knows the key to this club is finishing in the top four. It’s vital.”
Read the article on Liverpool Daily Post
Steven Gerrard delighted Liverpool FC among the goals again
IN the context of their Europa League tie against Unirea Urziceni, it may have done nothing more than add a touch of gloss to a professional Liverpool performance.
But Steven Gerrard’s goal at a muddy Steaua Stadium on Thursday evening could yet prove significant for both the skipper and his team this season.
On a personal note, it moved Gerrard beyond Alan Shearer as the leading British goalscorer in European competition while providing further evidence of a return to form after a campaign hampered by niggling injuries.
And for Rafael Benitez’s side, it ensured the end of a miserable run of 29 games without scoring more than twice in a game that reached its nadir with the pitiful goalless draw with Manchester City last Sunday.
The desperate affair brought into sharp focus Liverpool’s creative failings this season that prompted Champions League elimination and are threatening their attempts to secure an immediate return to the competition.
Those efforts resume tomorrow when the Anfield outfit entertain an improving Blackburn Rovers, and Gerrard is determined the team now kick on having rediscovering their shooting boots.
“It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough in games,” says the captain. “To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances and we did that against Unirea.
“That’s what made the win so pleasing. Now we have got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season.
“We’ve got to be good defensively but have a bit of bottle and be a bit risky in the final third as well. You have got to keep making chances.
“It has been really difficult. The team has been defending really well and being solid. But we haven’t been good enough going forward and we haven’t been creating enough, so it was nice to get three goals.
“It does play on your mind. The most important thing is to defend well and keep clean sheets but it is also important that you do well going forward.
“What it showed is that we can defend well. We conceded a goal from a set piece but in general play we were really hard to break down. When you add that to being as creative as we were going forward, that was the key.”
Gerrard adds: “Do we have a lot to look forward to this season? I certainly hope so. The idea is to finish the season strongly for both myself and the team. The Europa League is very important for us because we are out of everything else. This is our last chance of silverware and we have got to give it our all.
“We want to give it maximum effort to reward the fans with a trophy. Everyone knows the key to this club is finishing in the top four. It’s vital.”
