STEVEN GERRARD reckons Liverpool’s campaign can still turn into one to remember – if they have the bottle to go for broke.

The Reds have slowly turned around their dismal early-season form, after a nightmare run saw them crash out of the Champions League, the title race and both domestic cups.

Yet they have fought back so well they are now favourites to finish fourth.

And on Thursday, Gerrard became the highest-scoring Brit in European competitions when his strike in Bucharest took him to 33 as the Reds beat Romanian side Unirea Urziceni.

Now the Anfield skipper is convinced the club can lift the Europa League trophy and clinch that coveted top-four slot – if they have the nerve.

Gerrard said: „We have to be realistic. We know the season up to now has been very frustrating.

„In an ideal situation, we’d still be in the Champions League and the title race.

„That’s gone now, so we have to reassess and go for different targets.

„The target now is to try and win the Europa League and finish fourth.

„We’ve 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.

The Reds certainly could not be accused of lacking firepower in Bucharest as they sliced Unirea apart.

Their 3-1 victory was the first time they had scored more than two goals in THIRTY games, dating back to their six-goal thrashing of Hull in September.

Gerrard’s Euro record, taking him past Alan Shearer’s haul, was the icing on the cake for the England star – especially after his recent struggles with hernia problems.

He added: „I’m not at my best but I am getting closer. It’s great to break records, but the important thing was to progress to the next round.”

Yossi Benayoun’s first start since mid-January after a fractured rib was a bonus in Romania, while Fernando Torres is closing in on full fitness again and Glen Johnson is only a fortnight or so away.

And Liverpool have an easy run-in ahead – starting with Blackburn’s visit to Anfield tomorrow.

Now boss Rafa Benitez is calling for a repeat of last season’s finish, when the Reds picked up 31 points out of the final 33.

Read the article on The Sun

Gerrard wants corking finish

STEVEN GERRARD reckons Liverpool’s campaign can still turn into one to remember – if they have the bottle to go for broke.

The Reds have slowly turned around their dismal early-season form, after a nightmare run saw them crash out of the Champions League, the title race and both domestic cups.

Yet they have fought back so well they are now favourites to finish fourth.

And on Thursday, Gerrard became the highest-scoring Brit in European competitions when his strike in Bucharest took him to 33 as the Reds beat Romanian side Unirea Urziceni.

Now the Anfield skipper is convinced the club can lift the Europa League trophy and clinch that coveted top-four slot – if they have the nerve.

Gerrard said: „We have to be realistic. We know the season up to now has been very frustrating.

„In an ideal situation, we’d still be in the Champions League and the title race.

„That’s gone now, so we have to reassess and go for different targets.

„The target now is to try and win the Europa League and finish fourth.

„We’ve 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.

The Reds certainly could not be accused of lacking firepower in Bucharest as they sliced Unirea apart.

Their 3-1 victory was the first time they had scored more than two goals in THIRTY games, dating back to their six-goal thrashing of Hull in September.

Gerrard’s Euro record, taking him past Alan Shearer’s haul, was the icing on the cake for the England star – especially after his recent struggles with hernia problems.

He added: „I’m not at my best but I am getting closer. It’s great to break records, but the important thing was to progress to the next round.”

Yossi Benayoun’s first start since mid-January after a fractured rib was a bonus in Romania, while Fernando Torres is closing in on full fitness again and Glen Johnson is only a fortnight or so away.

And Liverpool have an easy run-in ahead – starting with Blackburn’s visit to Anfield tomorrow.

Now boss Rafa Benitez is calling for a repeat of last season’s finish, when the Reds picked up 31 points out of the final 33.

Read the article on The Sun

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