This is quality - I like hearing battle cries like this from the captain.
From the Offal:
GERRARD: LET'S MAKE OURSELVES GREAT
Steven Gerrard has told his teammates they can put themselves on a par with the great Liverpool sides of the 70s and 80s – but only if they repeat the historic achievement of Istanbul.
The Liverpool skipper admits a desire to be remembered alongside legends such as Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness will be his main incentive when he steps out at Stamford Bridge for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tonight.
"We won the trophy two years ago, and maybe people dismissed the achievement a little," said the 26-year-old.
"Maybe they even said we were a bit lucky, but we weren't. We have shown for the last three years that we are a force in Europe, that we are a team everyone fears.
"And if we can win it again this year, then we will go down in history as another great Liverpool side - not just a good one. That is what drives me on, and the rest of the players.
"I want to be remembered as a captain who lifted the trophy twice, or even more. I want to be remembered along with those Liverpool greats like Hughes and Thompson, Souness, Neal and Dalglish.
"That is why you will see us out there giving it everything tonight, working so hard to give every single ounce of energy we have. Because we want that and we can taste it again.
"I don't want to tempt fate, but there are very similar feelings to 2005.
"Maybe it will be tougher for us this year because nobody underestimates us any more, but we do have that feeling again.
"In Europe, we deserve to be recognised as one of the top teams, as the team to beat even. We know Chelsea are a good side, and really it is so close it's probably 50-50 who goes through. It's exciting, and we can't wait."
Gerrard insists that it is a drive for medals and silverware – and not money in the bank – which he thinks about when he goes to bed at night.
"I know it sounds hollow talking about dreams and prizes when footballers earn all the money we do, but the things I've got at home, the medals and memorabilia, they mean more to me than extra noughts in my bank account," he explained.
"Lifting the Champions League trophy above my head as the captain of my team, it's something that lives with you forever.
"People have this image of footballers now, driving flash cars, leading incredible lifestyles, having all that glamour.
"But there are sacrifices too, big ones through all your young life if you want any chance of making it. Behind the glitz I've had to give a hell of a lot of blood and sweat over the years, some tears as well. When you get that trophy above your head, and you get that feeling in your head, that buzz, that sense of being alive, then it is all worth it, believe me."
Attending the Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield last week, Gerrard sat next to Robbie Fowler listening in hushed reverence.
And it was then, at that poignant moment, that a memory sparked for the Huyton-born midfielder that he will hold with him when he's battling it out with Lampard and co this evening.
"I whispered to Robbie that I could picture perfectly the days I stood on the Kop, and literally got carried 20 or 30 yards as the crowd surged forward when he scored a goal," said the Reds captain.
"God it was incredible. I would watch the likes of Ian Rush and Aldo, then as I got older John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie, and hope and pray and dream like mad that it would be me one day.
"I never even bothered dreaming that I would ever be captain - that would be too mad - just that I would set foot out on that pitch, just the once.
"And d'ya know what, even now, I can't put into words what it feels like to be living that dream."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70425-1027.htm
From the Offal:
GERRARD: LET'S MAKE OURSELVES GREAT
Steven Gerrard has told his teammates they can put themselves on a par with the great Liverpool sides of the 70s and 80s – but only if they repeat the historic achievement of Istanbul.
The Liverpool skipper admits a desire to be remembered alongside legends such as Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness will be his main incentive when he steps out at Stamford Bridge for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final tonight.
"We won the trophy two years ago, and maybe people dismissed the achievement a little," said the 26-year-old.
"Maybe they even said we were a bit lucky, but we weren't. We have shown for the last three years that we are a force in Europe, that we are a team everyone fears.
"And if we can win it again this year, then we will go down in history as another great Liverpool side - not just a good one. That is what drives me on, and the rest of the players.
"I want to be remembered as a captain who lifted the trophy twice, or even more. I want to be remembered along with those Liverpool greats like Hughes and Thompson, Souness, Neal and Dalglish.
"That is why you will see us out there giving it everything tonight, working so hard to give every single ounce of energy we have. Because we want that and we can taste it again.
"I don't want to tempt fate, but there are very similar feelings to 2005.
"Maybe it will be tougher for us this year because nobody underestimates us any more, but we do have that feeling again.
"In Europe, we deserve to be recognised as one of the top teams, as the team to beat even. We know Chelsea are a good side, and really it is so close it's probably 50-50 who goes through. It's exciting, and we can't wait."
Gerrard insists that it is a drive for medals and silverware – and not money in the bank – which he thinks about when he goes to bed at night.
"I know it sounds hollow talking about dreams and prizes when footballers earn all the money we do, but the things I've got at home, the medals and memorabilia, they mean more to me than extra noughts in my bank account," he explained.
"Lifting the Champions League trophy above my head as the captain of my team, it's something that lives with you forever.
"People have this image of footballers now, driving flash cars, leading incredible lifestyles, having all that glamour.
"But there are sacrifices too, big ones through all your young life if you want any chance of making it. Behind the glitz I've had to give a hell of a lot of blood and sweat over the years, some tears as well. When you get that trophy above your head, and you get that feeling in your head, that buzz, that sense of being alive, then it is all worth it, believe me."
Attending the Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield last week, Gerrard sat next to Robbie Fowler listening in hushed reverence.
And it was then, at that poignant moment, that a memory sparked for the Huyton-born midfielder that he will hold with him when he's battling it out with Lampard and co this evening.
"I whispered to Robbie that I could picture perfectly the days I stood on the Kop, and literally got carried 20 or 30 yards as the crowd surged forward when he scored a goal," said the Reds captain.
"God it was incredible. I would watch the likes of Ian Rush and Aldo, then as I got older John Barnes, Jamie Redknapp and Robbie, and hope and pray and dream like mad that it would be me one day.
"I never even bothered dreaming that I would ever be captain - that would be too mad - just that I would set foot out on that pitch, just the once.
"And d'ya know what, even now, I can't put into words what it feels like to be living that dream."
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70425-1027.htm
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