Steven: Respect them, but dont fear. United. Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool will show Manchester United the requisite amount of respect at Old Trafford this afternoon – but the Reds should have nothing to fear, according to their skipper. Gerrard will face the Red Devils for the 33rd time in his illustrious Anfield career when the two bitter rivals lock horns in the days early Barclays Premier League kick-off. Liverpool currently sit 11 points clear of United in the standings; however, the Reds skipper has warned his teammates they can expect a typically intense and testing trial at the home of the reigning champions. In an in-depth and relaxed interview with Sky Sports, previewing the big game, Gerrard went into detail on todays clash, as well as how hes currently thriving in his new holding role, touching on the prospect of playing on for years. Weve picked out the best bits of Gerrards interview for you to browse through below. On Liverpools performances so far this season... We havent surprised ourselves. I think weve surprised all the outsiders and the neutrals. But we finished last season really strongly. Our form in the last six months was up there with Champions League form. So we certainly havent surprised ourselves. Weve strengthened in a couple of areas and Brendan has done a fantastic job, gelling the team together and putting plans and tactics into place on the pitch. Its a strange feeling at the moment. Weve done fantastically well to this point, but were also well aware that it could easily fall apart. On his own season so far and fitness levels... Ive been good [fitness-wise] for a couple of years now. I had a career-threatening injury in my groin in 2010, which was well documented. But since Ive had that fixed, Ive had a great run. So fingers crossed. Im feeling strong and healthy. Im enjoying my football. Ive had a bit of a positional change of late, but its not alien to me. Ive played the position many, many times and its something that the manager spoke to me about on the first day that he came in. When I met him and we had our first chat, he told me that he saw me continuing to do what I had been doing, but he said that eventually he would change me into a holding midfielder. And thats whats been happening of late, but Im enjoying it. On playing in different positions... I feel as if this position can help me a lot and it can keep me about for a lot longer, which is what I want to do - I want to enjoy the remaining years of my career. I feel really comfortable in there. I think it suits my game, where I am at and my age. With experience, and being a bit older, I look back at the likes of Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez and other managers who played me out of position, and I can see they certainly helped me with my career and helped make me the player I am today. The conversation I had with Brendan over this position change gave me a big boost. On the mechanics of his new role... Playing in this position, you do an awful lot less high-speed running. Its more about side-to-side and short bursts, rather than long box-to-box runs. There have been times throughout my career where, if Ive been playing as an attacking midfielder or a No.10, playing three games in six days, its difficult to reach those high distance numbers. In this position and the way Im feeling; how strong Im feeling, I feel as though I could play four a week. Ill just take every week as it comes, but Im enjoying it now just as much as when I made my debut. Thats the key for me. On the importance of todays game against Manchester United... Its the No.1 game of the season alongside the Merseyside derby. This is the fixture that you look out for when the list comes out in June. Theyre our big rivals. Theyve had a bit of a difficult time of late, but well certainly go in there showing them a lot of respect. Theyve got world-class players and we know that if they click, on any given day, they can beat anyone as well. Its a 50-50 game, but were certainly going into it very confident. On walking out at Old Trafford... I think its more about looking at what weve got. There have been times when I have gone to Old Trafford and theyve had clearly better players and a better team. But we have a gap on them and were playing better than them and I think player for player we can more than match them. Weve got nothing to fear. Yes, their fans are there, but they dont kick the ball. Were used to all the banter that theyve given us over the years, so its water of a ducks back for me. Its a 50-50 game and whoever plays better on the day will win it. On Manchester United memories... I think the 4-1 at Old Trafford in March 2009 [was my favourite]. Ive won quite a few games against Manchester United, home and way, but to go there and beat United 4-1 and to get on the score-sheet, and the way we controlled and dominated them from start to finish, was the dream result away from home.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 10:04:52 +0000
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