Steven Gerrard was delighted with Liverpool’s attacking performance against Unirea Urziceni and believes the team have what it takes to reach the Europa League final in May.
Thursday night’s 3-1 victory against the Romanians in the last 32 of the competition was the first time since September the Reds had scored more than two goals in a game and Gerrard hopes they can draw inspiration from that as they vie to secure Champions League football next season.
Gerrard, who will lead out Rafa Benitez’s side at home to Blackburn on Sunday, said: „It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough [before the Unirea clash].
„To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances, and we did that.
„That’s what made Thursday night so pleasing and we’ve got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season.
„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.
„I think we have shown over the last few games that we are back to defending well and are more solid and are working harder and results have improved.
„We’ve still 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.”
Gerrard scored the third goal against the Romanian champions at the Steaua Stadium to set a new record.
He has now struck 33 times in European competition, taking him past Alan Shearer as the leading British scorer.
„From a personal point of view, it’s always great to break records,” added Gerrard, who netted for the first time since 2nd January.
„Some of my goals have come against easy opposition, so I don’t think it’s fair to put me above the likes of Alan Shearer.
„To be mentioned in the same breath as that great man is always a pleasure.
Despite struggling at times against Unirea, the Reds captain believes Liverpool are capable of making it to Hamburg for the final.
„Every competition is very important to this football club, especially when you’ve gone out of other tournaments,” he said.
„This is our last hope of silverware, and it would be terrific if we could go all the way to the final for the fans that have supported us this season.
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Portsmouth have become the first club in the history of the Premier League to enter administration and are facing a nine-point penalty.
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Gerrard buoyed by improvements
Steven Gerrard was delighted with Liverpool’s attacking performance against Unirea Urziceni and believes the team have what it takes to reach the Europa League final in May.
Thursday night’s 3-1 victory against the Romanians in the last 32 of the competition was the first time since September the Reds had scored more than two goals in a game and Gerrard hopes they can draw inspiration from that as they vie to secure Champions League football next season.
Gerrard, who will lead out Rafa Benitez’s side at home to Blackburn on Sunday, said: „It was slightly worrying that we were not creating enough [before the Unirea clash].
„To win football matches you have got to create a lot of chances, and we did that.
„That’s what made Thursday night so pleasing and we’ve got to get the balance right between now and the end of the season.
„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.
„I think we have shown over the last few games that we are back to defending well and are more solid and are working harder and results have improved.
„We’ve still 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.”
Gerrard scored the third goal against the Romanian champions at the Steaua Stadium to set a new record.
He has now struck 33 times in European competition, taking him past Alan Shearer as the leading British scorer.
„From a personal point of view, it’s always great to break records,” added Gerrard, who netted for the first time since 2nd January.
„Some of my goals have come against easy opposition, so I don’t think it’s fair to put me above the likes of Alan Shearer.
„To be mentioned in the same breath as that great man is always a pleasure.
Despite struggling at times against Unirea, the Reds captain believes Liverpool are capable of making it to Hamburg for the final.
„Every competition is very important to this football club, especially when you’ve gone out of other tournaments,” he said.
„This is our last hope of silverware, and it would be terrific if we could go all the way to the final for the fans that have supported us this season.
Rob Parrish looks at where it all went wrong for Portsmouth and what lessons can be learned.
Portsmouth have become the first Premier League club in administration. We look at their meltdown
Aston Villa and Man Utd meet in the Carling Cup final on Sunday. Check out how the teams got to Wembley.
The administrator of Portsmouth has confirmed Avram Grant will stay on at the club and there will not be a fire-sale of players.
Portsmouth have become the first club in the history of the Premier League to enter administration and are facing a nine-point penalty.
Portsmouth chief executive Peter Storrie has announced that he will step down once new owners are in place.
Chelsea lock horns with Manchester City on Saturday lunchtime with all eyes on John Terry’s meeting with Wayne Bridge.
Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford.
