Saturday, April 4, 2009

STEVIE ISSUES FULHAM WARNING

Jimmy Rice 03 April 2009


Skipper Steven Gerrard has warned Liverpool they will have to be on top form to beat a potentially fresher Fulham team this weekend.

Eleven of Rafa Benitez's first-team squad were involved in internationals this week - substantially more than their opponents.

And with Craven Cottage playing host to a Manchester United defeat two weeks ago, Gerrard knows three points are far from a given.

"The good thing now is that we can put the internationals to the back of our minds and just concentrate on the run-in," he said.

"The last three weeks have been among the most enjoyable in my Liverpool career and we want to keep that momentum going.

"We know that it is going to be difficult at Craven Cottage. They are a team that deserves respect; just look at what they did against Manchester United.

"Maybe because they don't have as many internationals as us, they might be fresher. We know they will be up for it - they are chasing a European place, so there is something riding on this game for them."

Another player hoping to put the internationals out of his mind is Javier Mascherano, whose Argentina side lost 6-1 to Bolivia.

The midfielder said: "For some of us, playing in the altitude was something new, for others not so much, but we can't say that we lost because of the altitude.

"Our rivals played better and nothing turned out right for us.

"This should serve us as a lesson and it will surely consolidate the squad, who are very united and growing in every aspect."

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