Liverpool on course for top four says Gerrard

John Curtis,Pa
Wednesday 27 January 2010 16:04 GMT
Comments
Gerrard has recently returned to the side from injury
Gerrard has recently returned to the side from injury

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool have "turned the corner" after their recent slump and are back on course for a Champions League place.

The Reds climbed above Manchester City into fifth in the Barclays Premier League after a goalless draw at Wolves last night extended their unbeaten league run to five games from which they have collected 11 points.

It was not a vintage performance, and Wolves keeper Marcus Hahnemann had to make only one worthwhile save during the entire 90 minutes, as the home side switched from their normal 4-4-2 system to a 4-5-1 formation.

But Gerrard believes Liverpool would have buckled and been beaten in a similar sort of game earlier in the season.

And the England midfielder is urging his side to cash in on successive home games with Bolton and Merseyside rivals Everton in their battle to break back into the top four.

Gerrard said: "We will keep fighting for that fourth spot. We've got a couple of home games coming up and, if we take maximum points, I'm sure we'll edge into that top four.

"The important thing is that we are now playing better. We've turned the corner and we are a much more difficult team to beat now.

"We would probably have lost that game 1-0 a couple of months back.

"Confidence was certainly low a few weeks ago. The squad was suffering a lot of injuries and, when you are not getting the results you expect, it affects people's confidence individually and as a group.

"But we've had a couple of encouraging results. Stoke away was a tough game and we got a point and the lads performed fantastically well against Tottenham.

"Confidence is slowly coming back and, once that confidence is back, results will follow. We are very confident we can eventually edge into that top four."

Gerrard added: "There were a lot of people in the dressing room hurt at seeing us lying in seventh and eighth position in the Premier League and you learn a lot from these situations when times are hard.

"We have looked at each other and we wanted to put it right.

"The most important thing for me over the last four or five games has been the character and the desire the players have shown. Nobody is hiding and that's a big positive.

"Everyone knows this team has been through a difficult period. But we have shown we can dig in and battle. We know results will improve."

Gerrard made a quicker than anticipated return to action at Molineux after just a two-game absence following his recent hamstring injury.

Boss Rafa Benitez again stressed how important a fit and firing Gerrard will be to Liverpool if they are to achieve a top-four spot after the draw at Molineux.

Gerrard said: "I was just pleased to get back. To play a full game after 13 days is encouraging. I just need to keep working hard in training and my form will get better."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in