STEVEN GERRARD'S END OF SEASON REVIEW
Jimmy Rice 13 May 2008
In an exclusive end of season review with Liverpoolfc.tv, skipper Steven Gerrard reflects on the highs and lows of 2007-08 and assesses what the Reds must now do to mount a serious title challenge next term.
How will you look back on 2007-08, Steven?
I went on record a couple of weeks ago and said that I have to be proud of my teammates even though we fell away in the title race. We can be really proud of reaching the last four in the Champions League – another great run in Europe – and getting a top four finish in a really tough league. But there is still some improvement needed.
We were top of the league in September – everyone thought we were going to push on. Is there a game or period you can identify when the title challenge slipped away?
Yes, silly results against teams we should be beating. Look at Reading away, where we were beaten 3-1. There were a couple of silly draws at home against sides you need to perform perfectly against and take maximum points from. You can get involved in the title race and even win it without beating the top three home and away. You don't have to take maximum points from them if you perform perfectly against the others, but we haven't done that. We've dropped stupid points.
Our form in latter months has been as good as if not better than the top two – is that frustrating in a way?
Yes, it is because we know we are capable of going on consistent runs and beating anyone. We started off that way, expectations were high and players were making the right noises. We thought this year we were going to be a lot closer, so now we need to learn from our mistakes – as we keep saying.
Your away form has been exemplary this year – is that down to a change in mentality?
Yes, maybe. But also the manager has signed winners, players with a good mentality. That has shown away from home where we've been really hard to beat. Players have performed really well, the likes of your Leivas and Mascheranos. They are good players to have away from home – they dig in and do a lot of work that goes unnoticed. But we also expect good results at home, and that's what's disappointing when you look at the Wigan and Aston Villa results.
What has been your personal highlight this season?
I don't really look back on individual things. Obviously I'm happy with all my goals – to get 21 is a good achievement for myself but I'm more interested in where we finish in the league and how we do in the cups.
You mention 21 goals – is that about the target you set yourself?
It wasn't, if I'm honest. Maybe five or six years ago it was good if a midfielder got into double figures, but the likes of Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard took it to another level by getting 15-plus. So, to get more than 20 goals is really good. I try to get as many as I can and the target is always double figures. Maybe I've got into the 20s because I've played further forward for quite a few games.
I asked you for your high point – what about the low?
When we've lost or drawn games we should have won, then looked at the gap to the top and seen it sliding away. That's the disappointing thing because my expectations at the start of the season were high. I thought we would have been involved in a title race come March or April but unfortunately we were out of it.
People will look back on your stats and say this has been one of your best seasons from a personal point of view: 21 goals, countless assists, making your 400th appearance. How satisfied have you been with your own form this year?
To be honest, I felt coming out of pre-season perhaps the best I've felt. I had a good rest and felt like I was flying going into the Villa game. My performances against Villa and Chelsea were good but then I broke my toe, which set me back for four to six weeks. Since then I think I've performed consistently.
It's also been a year when you've developed this incredible partnership with Fernando. How do you feel when you hear people comparing it to watching Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish?
It's really flattering because they are two legends at the club. Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush! They are two people me and Fernando look up to – everyone at the club does. To be talked about in the same breath is flattering but they did it for many, many years. Their partnership was also successful in that they had trophies to back it up, and that's my and Fernando's aim.
As an onlooker, it appears similar to the relationship you had with another great striker, Michael Owen – almost telepathic at times. Is that how it feels?
It does when I set him up and he scores. I still get the same buzz and the same feeling. I used to set Michael up from midfield, whereas I'm a lot closer to Fernando on the pitch. It's a little bit easier because of that, and also his movement and runs are fantastic. I enjoy playing with him, it's great to have him here and he's been Player of the Year hands down. Hopefully he can take this into next season.
Can you remember a foreign player having the kind of impact Fernando has in his first season?
No, not really. But if you look at players like Sami Hyypia - he made the same level of impact but Fernando will get all the plaudits because of the goals and the fact he's winning football matches for us.
How important is this summer now in terms of Liverpool's progress?
Yes, we say it every year but it's massive. Other teams are going to strengthen and become better sides, so it's important we do the same. There is a lot of money in the league – teams and squads will become stronger in the summer. It's important we don't fall away, we want to stay up there with the best. To keep doing well in the league and Europe we need to strengthen the squad, there's no doubt about that.
How much do you know about Rafa Benitez's transfer plans?
I don't know much. I know as much as the other players and you boys. He doesn't call me in and tell me names but he does assure me and the other players that if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side then he'll go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well.
How far away are we from a title challenge - is it just about one or two world-class additions?
It's difficult to say how many world-class players. You look at the points difference and over the last few years we have made it smaller. Playing against your Arsenals and Chelseas, it has been close. We are giving them good games which are tight and get decided on small details. If we can make the team a little bit stronger, have a few more options and match-winners, and make the team a tiny bit better defensively, we can do it.
The spine of this team, with Pepe, Jamie, Javier, yourself and Fernando - that's as good as anything in the world, isn't it?
In my opinion, yes. If you look at the quality we have down the spine, it is fantastic. We have other good players as well, though.
Youngsters such as Ryan Babel, Lucas and Martin Skrtel now have a year in English football behind them – how big a factor could that be next season? Do you expect even bigger things from them?
The experience will certainly help. I remember when I was a young kid playing in Europe and making mistakes – all that experience helps you become a better player. The likes of Lucas and Ryan will benefit from the amount of football they have been given this season.
How confident are you of mounting a serious title challenge in 2008-09?
Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for it. I believe in this team and this manager, and believe we can make it happen. We need help and new players, and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen and make us stronger. I do expect us to be involved next season.
Three English teams in the Champions League semis - is winning the title now tougher than it's ever been?
It is tough, that's what people have to realise. We are strengthening all the time, working as hard as any other team and having as many shots on goal. Sometimes you have to realise there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us. But it has been a long time for this club (winning the league), so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10 per cent.
I just want to ask you about comments in the papers that you see yourself finishing your career here at Liverpool...
Well, I'm happy. I am enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy because I am a winner and that's what I play the game for. I like finishing the season and having a trophy or cup final to look back on and seeing I've achieved something. The experiences I've had at this club in Istanbul, Cardiff, Super Cup finals and the Carling Cup – I want these again because I've enjoyed them so much.
You've got a month or two off now before it all starts again. How does Steven Gerrard keep himself busy over the summer?
I obviously have to go away with England for a while, but after that I will be putting my feet up, going on a couple of holidays with the family and making sure I get the right recovery to be flying next season. Every season is big but the next one is always bigger for some reason. The first two weeks of the summer are always nice, to get football out of the system, but after that I am itching because I love football. I love watching and playing and being around Melwood every day.
Jimmy Rice 13 May 2008
In an exclusive end of season review with Liverpoolfc.tv, skipper Steven Gerrard reflects on the highs and lows of 2007-08 and assesses what the Reds must now do to mount a serious title challenge next term.
How will you look back on 2007-08, Steven?
I went on record a couple of weeks ago and said that I have to be proud of my teammates even though we fell away in the title race. We can be really proud of reaching the last four in the Champions League – another great run in Europe – and getting a top four finish in a really tough league. But there is still some improvement needed.
We were top of the league in September – everyone thought we were going to push on. Is there a game or period you can identify when the title challenge slipped away?
Yes, silly results against teams we should be beating. Look at Reading away, where we were beaten 3-1. There were a couple of silly draws at home against sides you need to perform perfectly against and take maximum points from. You can get involved in the title race and even win it without beating the top three home and away. You don't have to take maximum points from them if you perform perfectly against the others, but we haven't done that. We've dropped stupid points.
Our form in latter months has been as good as if not better than the top two – is that frustrating in a way?
Yes, it is because we know we are capable of going on consistent runs and beating anyone. We started off that way, expectations were high and players were making the right noises. We thought this year we were going to be a lot closer, so now we need to learn from our mistakes – as we keep saying.
Your away form has been exemplary this year – is that down to a change in mentality?
Yes, maybe. But also the manager has signed winners, players with a good mentality. That has shown away from home where we've been really hard to beat. Players have performed really well, the likes of your Leivas and Mascheranos. They are good players to have away from home – they dig in and do a lot of work that goes unnoticed. But we also expect good results at home, and that's what's disappointing when you look at the Wigan and Aston Villa results.
What has been your personal highlight this season?
I don't really look back on individual things. Obviously I'm happy with all my goals – to get 21 is a good achievement for myself but I'm more interested in where we finish in the league and how we do in the cups.
You mention 21 goals – is that about the target you set yourself?
It wasn't, if I'm honest. Maybe five or six years ago it was good if a midfielder got into double figures, but the likes of Paul Scholes and Frank Lampard took it to another level by getting 15-plus. So, to get more than 20 goals is really good. I try to get as many as I can and the target is always double figures. Maybe I've got into the 20s because I've played further forward for quite a few games.
I asked you for your high point – what about the low?
When we've lost or drawn games we should have won, then looked at the gap to the top and seen it sliding away. That's the disappointing thing because my expectations at the start of the season were high. I thought we would have been involved in a title race come March or April but unfortunately we were out of it.
People will look back on your stats and say this has been one of your best seasons from a personal point of view: 21 goals, countless assists, making your 400th appearance. How satisfied have you been with your own form this year?
To be honest, I felt coming out of pre-season perhaps the best I've felt. I had a good rest and felt like I was flying going into the Villa game. My performances against Villa and Chelsea were good but then I broke my toe, which set me back for four to six weeks. Since then I think I've performed consistently.
It's also been a year when you've developed this incredible partnership with Fernando. How do you feel when you hear people comparing it to watching Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish?
It's really flattering because they are two legends at the club. Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush! They are two people me and Fernando look up to – everyone at the club does. To be talked about in the same breath is flattering but they did it for many, many years. Their partnership was also successful in that they had trophies to back it up, and that's my and Fernando's aim.
As an onlooker, it appears similar to the relationship you had with another great striker, Michael Owen – almost telepathic at times. Is that how it feels?
It does when I set him up and he scores. I still get the same buzz and the same feeling. I used to set Michael up from midfield, whereas I'm a lot closer to Fernando on the pitch. It's a little bit easier because of that, and also his movement and runs are fantastic. I enjoy playing with him, it's great to have him here and he's been Player of the Year hands down. Hopefully he can take this into next season.
Can you remember a foreign player having the kind of impact Fernando has in his first season?
No, not really. But if you look at players like Sami Hyypia - he made the same level of impact but Fernando will get all the plaudits because of the goals and the fact he's winning football matches for us.
How important is this summer now in terms of Liverpool's progress?
Yes, we say it every year but it's massive. Other teams are going to strengthen and become better sides, so it's important we do the same. There is a lot of money in the league – teams and squads will become stronger in the summer. It's important we don't fall away, we want to stay up there with the best. To keep doing well in the league and Europe we need to strengthen the squad, there's no doubt about that.
How much do you know about Rafa Benitez's transfer plans?
I don't know much. I know as much as the other players and you boys. He doesn't call me in and tell me names but he does assure me and the other players that if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side then he'll go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well.
How far away are we from a title challenge - is it just about one or two world-class additions?
It's difficult to say how many world-class players. You look at the points difference and over the last few years we have made it smaller. Playing against your Arsenals and Chelseas, it has been close. We are giving them good games which are tight and get decided on small details. If we can make the team a little bit stronger, have a few more options and match-winners, and make the team a tiny bit better defensively, we can do it.
The spine of this team, with Pepe, Jamie, Javier, yourself and Fernando - that's as good as anything in the world, isn't it?
In my opinion, yes. If you look at the quality we have down the spine, it is fantastic. We have other good players as well, though.
Youngsters such as Ryan Babel, Lucas and Martin Skrtel now have a year in English football behind them – how big a factor could that be next season? Do you expect even bigger things from them?
The experience will certainly help. I remember when I was a young kid playing in Europe and making mistakes – all that experience helps you become a better player. The likes of Lucas and Ryan will benefit from the amount of football they have been given this season.
How confident are you of mounting a serious title challenge in 2008-09?
Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for it. I believe in this team and this manager, and believe we can make it happen. We need help and new players, and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen and make us stronger. I do expect us to be involved next season.
Three English teams in the Champions League semis - is winning the title now tougher than it's ever been?
It is tough, that's what people have to realise. We are strengthening all the time, working as hard as any other team and having as many shots on goal. Sometimes you have to realise there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us. But it has been a long time for this club (winning the league), so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10 per cent.
I just want to ask you about comments in the papers that you see yourself finishing your career here at Liverpool...
Well, I'm happy. I am enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy because I am a winner and that's what I play the game for. I like finishing the season and having a trophy or cup final to look back on and seeing I've achieved something. The experiences I've had at this club in Istanbul, Cardiff, Super Cup finals and the Carling Cup – I want these again because I've enjoyed them so much.
You've got a month or two off now before it all starts again. How does Steven Gerrard keep himself busy over the summer?
I obviously have to go away with England for a while, but after that I will be putting my feet up, going on a couple of holidays with the family and making sure I get the right recovery to be flying next season. Every season is big but the next one is always bigger for some reason. The first two weeks of the summer are always nice, to get football out of the system, but after that I am itching because I love football. I love watching and playing and being around Melwood every day.
Let me know which number he's allocated
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