Pennant: We are Europe's greatest
Feb 16 2007
by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
JERMAINE PENNANT has sounded his battle cry to Barcelona by declaring that there’s no better team in Europe than Liverpool on their day.
The winger’s confidence is a reflection of the mood around Anfield as the team prepares for its last 16 Champions League showdown in the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
And Pennant reckons his team-mates are capable of returning from the first leg at the home of the reigning European champions, who succeeded Liverpool to the throne when they beat Arsenal in the final in Paris last year, with an away-goal advantage.
“We have to give ourselves a platform in the away leg, keep it tight and maybe grab an away goal,” said Pennant.
“If we do all that we’ll be confident of reaching the quarter-finals.
“We know that on our day there isn’t a better team in Europe than Liverpool, but we have to prove it on the pitch.
“We’re confident that over two legs we can beat anyone, and that includes Barca.”
The extent to which Liverpool are fired up for the game is reflected in the fact that Pennant thinks the occasion could match the Istanbul final of 2005, when Liverpool fought back from 3-0 down to AC Milan before winning on penalties.
He added: “Getting through this tie would be one of the highlights of my career and I’m sure it would be the same for a lot of the boys, even the ones who played in Istanbul.
“The games against Barcelona are going to be fantastic to be involved in, and now they’re almost here everyone’s looking forward to the occasion.”
Pennant has recovered from a stuttering start to his Liverpool career, initially struggling to live up the the £6million price tag attached to him when he joined from Birmingham City in the summer.
But the 24-year-old has finally hit form in the past few weeks, with the highlight being his first Liverpool goal in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
And Pennant, recharging his batteries at the warm weather training camp in Portugal this week, feels he is finally coming to terms with the pressure of a big-money move to Anfield.
He said: “Personally I’ve come a long way in a year. I was a Birmingham player scrapping away in a relegation battle this time last season when the Champions League got under way, and European games seemed a long way away.
“If you’d told me in May that I’d have the chance to line up against Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi and Carlos Puyol this season, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“I want to play in these games badly. I’ve got my confidence right up, I’ve gelled more with people around me and learned more about their games.
“I’m a better player now that at the beginning of the season.
“I’ve started against Arsenal and Chelsea and games don’t come much bigger than them.
“I’ve proved I can cope with the physical side.
“But I’d honestly say that it’s only in the last six to eight games that I’ve really found my feet and started to get close to what I know I’m capable of.
“I’m enjoying my football here at the moment and I think it shows.
“I’ve got a new opportunity here and I’m making sure I make the most of it.
“I’ve never had a problem off the pitch. My problems have all been off it and have maybe got in the way of me making as much of my talents as I should.
“But for all the problems I’ve had elsewhere and the dark times I might have had in my life, I wouldn’t change a thing.
“If I did I wouldn’t be at Liverpool now.”
Feb 16 2007
by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
JERMAINE PENNANT has sounded his battle cry to Barcelona by declaring that there’s no better team in Europe than Liverpool on their day.
The winger’s confidence is a reflection of the mood around Anfield as the team prepares for its last 16 Champions League showdown in the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
And Pennant reckons his team-mates are capable of returning from the first leg at the home of the reigning European champions, who succeeded Liverpool to the throne when they beat Arsenal in the final in Paris last year, with an away-goal advantage.
“We have to give ourselves a platform in the away leg, keep it tight and maybe grab an away goal,” said Pennant.
“If we do all that we’ll be confident of reaching the quarter-finals.
“We know that on our day there isn’t a better team in Europe than Liverpool, but we have to prove it on the pitch.
“We’re confident that over two legs we can beat anyone, and that includes Barca.”
The extent to which Liverpool are fired up for the game is reflected in the fact that Pennant thinks the occasion could match the Istanbul final of 2005, when Liverpool fought back from 3-0 down to AC Milan before winning on penalties.
He added: “Getting through this tie would be one of the highlights of my career and I’m sure it would be the same for a lot of the boys, even the ones who played in Istanbul.
“The games against Barcelona are going to be fantastic to be involved in, and now they’re almost here everyone’s looking forward to the occasion.”
Pennant has recovered from a stuttering start to his Liverpool career, initially struggling to live up the the £6million price tag attached to him when he joined from Birmingham City in the summer.
But the 24-year-old has finally hit form in the past few weeks, with the highlight being his first Liverpool goal in the 2-0 victory over Chelsea.
And Pennant, recharging his batteries at the warm weather training camp in Portugal this week, feels he is finally coming to terms with the pressure of a big-money move to Anfield.
He said: “Personally I’ve come a long way in a year. I was a Birmingham player scrapping away in a relegation battle this time last season when the Champions League got under way, and European games seemed a long way away.
“If you’d told me in May that I’d have the chance to line up against Ronaldinho, Deco, Xavi and Carlos Puyol this season, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“I want to play in these games badly. I’ve got my confidence right up, I’ve gelled more with people around me and learned more about their games.
“I’m a better player now that at the beginning of the season.
“I’ve started against Arsenal and Chelsea and games don’t come much bigger than them.
“I’ve proved I can cope with the physical side.
“But I’d honestly say that it’s only in the last six to eight games that I’ve really found my feet and started to get close to what I know I’m capable of.
“I’m enjoying my football here at the moment and I think it shows.
“I’ve got a new opportunity here and I’m making sure I make the most of it.
“I’ve never had a problem off the pitch. My problems have all been off it and have maybe got in the way of me making as much of my talents as I should.
“But for all the problems I’ve had elsewhere and the dark times I might have had in my life, I wouldn’t change a thing.
“If I did I wouldn’t be at Liverpool now.”
Comment