Jamie Carragher hails super Steven Gerrard
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
JAMIE CARRAGHER today saluted record- breaking skipper Steven Gerrard after Liverpool stormed into the knockout stages of the Champions League last night.
Gerrard became the Reds’ leading European goalscorer when his early strike put them on course for an emphatic 4-0 victory in Marseille.
The goal took him beyond Michael Owen’s club record of 22 in Europe and it was his 10th strike in the Reds’ last 11 games.
Carragher said: “He’s definitely one of the best players in the world. You look at Kaka and Messi, but they probably play further forward.
“But for me he’ll go down alongside Kenny Dalglish as one of the greatest players ever to have played for Liverpool and at the moment he’s probably in the top four or five players in the world.”
Gerrard also became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven successive matches.
But Carragher admits he was worried that his skipper might not even get the opportunity to play a part in last night’s Group A decider.
Just seconds after kick-off Gerrard crumpled from a fierce tackle and lay prostrate for fully 30 seconds before getting gingerly to his feet.
“I was worried because he doesn’t normally go down,” added Carragher.
“It looked like it might have been something serious, but he got back up, carried on and won the penalty as well.”
The fact that Liverpool finished second in Group A means that the Reds will face either AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona or possibly Seville in the last 16.
But Carragher insists the draw on December 21 holds no fears.
“We’ll be a big game for them as well don’t forget. When you’re in the Champions League you play the best teams in Europe.
“It’s good players, the top teams in the best stadiums, but if you want to progress you’ve got to beat the best.”
Asked if the result last night lifted pressure on boss Rafa Benitez, Carragher added: “I haven’t got a clue. That’s not up to us. We just get on with playing and at the moment we’re doing all right and we just hope to keep it going.”
Benitez himself, however, believed the much publicised summit meeting with George Gillett may not be as significant as people believe.
“The meeting might be easier than people think,” he said.
Gillett was at last night’s match, but up until an hour after the final whistle the pair still had not spoken.
But Benitez seemed unconcerned.
He added: “I am focusing totally on the game against Manchester United now.”
Midfield enforcer Javier Mascherano must already be a doubt for Sunday’s clash after he was stretchered off last night with an ankle injury.
He did return after treatment but hobbled slowly out of the stadium after the match in some discomfort. He will be analysed by the Reds’ medical staff today.
Meanwhile, the Reds will travel to Luton in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday, January 6 .
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
JAMIE CARRAGHER today saluted record- breaking skipper Steven Gerrard after Liverpool stormed into the knockout stages of the Champions League last night.
Gerrard became the Reds’ leading European goalscorer when his early strike put them on course for an emphatic 4-0 victory in Marseille.
The goal took him beyond Michael Owen’s club record of 22 in Europe and it was his 10th strike in the Reds’ last 11 games.
Carragher said: “He’s definitely one of the best players in the world. You look at Kaka and Messi, but they probably play further forward.
“But for me he’ll go down alongside Kenny Dalglish as one of the greatest players ever to have played for Liverpool and at the moment he’s probably in the top four or five players in the world.”
Gerrard also became the first Liverpool player since John Aldridge in 1989 to score in seven successive matches.
But Carragher admits he was worried that his skipper might not even get the opportunity to play a part in last night’s Group A decider.
Just seconds after kick-off Gerrard crumpled from a fierce tackle and lay prostrate for fully 30 seconds before getting gingerly to his feet.
“I was worried because he doesn’t normally go down,” added Carragher.
“It looked like it might have been something serious, but he got back up, carried on and won the penalty as well.”
The fact that Liverpool finished second in Group A means that the Reds will face either AC Milan, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Barcelona or possibly Seville in the last 16.
But Carragher insists the draw on December 21 holds no fears.
“We’ll be a big game for them as well don’t forget. When you’re in the Champions League you play the best teams in Europe.
“It’s good players, the top teams in the best stadiums, but if you want to progress you’ve got to beat the best.”
Asked if the result last night lifted pressure on boss Rafa Benitez, Carragher added: “I haven’t got a clue. That’s not up to us. We just get on with playing and at the moment we’re doing all right and we just hope to keep it going.”
Benitez himself, however, believed the much publicised summit meeting with George Gillett may not be as significant as people believe.
“The meeting might be easier than people think,” he said.
Gillett was at last night’s match, but up until an hour after the final whistle the pair still had not spoken.
But Benitez seemed unconcerned.
He added: “I am focusing totally on the game against Manchester United now.”
Midfield enforcer Javier Mascherano must already be a doubt for Sunday’s clash after he was stretchered off last night with an ankle injury.
He did return after treatment but hobbled slowly out of the stadium after the match in some discomfort. He will be analysed by the Reds’ medical staff today.
Meanwhile, the Reds will travel to Luton in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday, January 6 .
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