Friday, May 15, 2009

GERRARD EYES DREAM DOUBLE IN 2010

Paul Hassall 15 May 2009

Steven Gerrard has set his sights on emulating the legendary Roger Hunt by securing a glorious double in 2010.

The Reds skipper has vowed to make next season the biggest one of his career and hopes to land both the Barclays Premier League title and the World Cup - a feat achieved by Liverpool's all-time leading scorer in the league back in 1966.

"Roger Hunt was a fantastic player," said Gerrard.

"It's a bit before my time but my dad has certainly made me aware of how good Roger was.

"If I can go on and emulate what he achieved in 1966 next year, you will certainly see a happy Steven Gerrard come the end of the World Cup!

"It would be the best year of my career without a doubt.

"To win the league and then go on and win the World Cup, that's what dreams are made of.

"There's a lot of hard work and a lot of hurdles to get over before I can achieve that.

"But it is certainly the ambition and the dream. And I think it's possible."

If England are to maintain their hopes of glory in South Africa next summer they must maintain their impressive start in the qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Andorra next month.

Gerrard is confident they can do just that and feels Fabio Capello has a squad capable of going all the way.

"We've got the potential to do it and we've got very good players.

"But it's important we don't raise expectations because it's not so long ago this team failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

"As for Liverpool, if I can go on to be involved in another title race and win it then it would be a fantastic feeling, too. Then I can take that confidence into the World Cup.

"We've still got one last chance this season, one last crack if Arsenal do us a favour. But if it's not to be, then there is certainly progression anyway."

After another superb season Gerrard was deservedly crowned Footballer of the Year earlier this week.

He admits it is an award he is hugely proud of and feels he is heading in the right direction for both club and country.

"That means everything to me as it's a great accolade," he said. "The standard of players is high, so to be named the best is special.

"For Liverpool, there has been a lot of progression and it has been fantastic to be involved in the race. And with England, we are top of our qualifying group with five wins out of five."

RAFA: LET'S FINISH THE SEASON IN STYLE

James Carroll at Melwood 15 May 2009

Rafa Benitez is targeting two wins out of two from Liverpool's remaining Barclays Premier League fixtures, regardless of the outcome of the title race.

Manchester United could clinch the trophy if they pick up a point against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the Reds not in action until Sunday when they take on West Bromwich Albion.

"It's always important to have some targets," Benitez told his weekly press conference at Melwood.

"We always have to think positive. We need to get three points in our game and if we can still fight for the title, then we will still fight, but if not, then we will fight for second.

"For us, 80 points is really good - 82 is our best ever total in the Premier League. It would be fantastic to match that, although to finish with 86 points would be much better.

"I am pleased because we have been more consistent. It's very positive and good for the future.

"We will try to do our job in our remaining games and see what happens."

If United claim the title, they will equal Liverpool's record haul of 18.

Asked if trying to stop Alex Ferguson's men reaching that number had served as extra motivation this season, Benitez replied: "I was not thinking about them, I was thinking about us.

"To win the title is always the motivation. It doesn't matter how many - you cannot think about history all the time. You have to think about the present.

"Still we are fighting and if we cannot win it, then we will fight for second position and be ready for next season.

"It would be a fantastic achievement for us to win the title, but the priority is to think about ourselves winning it - not to prevent them."

Benitez believes Arsenal are capable of upsetting United and feels the Gunners will have a point to prove after they were eliminated from the Champions League by the Old Trafford club earlier this month.

He said: "Arsenal are a good team. They have players with quality and I think because of their defeats in their last two games they will want to prove something.

"Arsene is a winner and he will try to win this game and also the players will too. You cannot lose in the way they have lost in their last two games and not try to do your best."

The title race could be over by the time the Reds take to the field against West Brom at the Hawthorns, although the Baggies are still desperately fighting against relegation.

Benitez is anticipating a tough encounter, but has praised Tony Mowbray's men for sticking to their brand of open, attacking football throughout the season.

"It will be difficult because when you play against a team who are battling against relegation it is hard, but it is always tough in the Premier League," said the Anfield boss.

"They are a team who like to play football. It's a pity they are a team at the bottom of the table because they have always tried to play good football."

Benitez confirmed Xabi Alonso will return to the Reds squad for the trip to The Hawthorns.

He added: "Alonso is fit and he has been training. All of the squad are fit for this game."

Meanwhile, Benitez paid tribute to Steven Gerrard after the Reds skipper was named as the Football Writers' Association's Footballer of the Year earlier this week.

"I'm really pleased for him," said Benitez. "The award means he is in a team fighting for the title and it's a fantastic achievement when you consider the other players on the shortlist.

"Also, I am pleased he thanked the staff and his teammates. This shows he has the right mentality and also the quality.

"He has scored more than 20 goals in the last three years. For a midfielder, this is very important. He is a very good example to the younger players in the squad."

KUYT TARGETS REGULAR TITLE TILT

James Carroll 15 May 2009

Dirk Kuyt today warned Liverpool's Barclays Premier League rivals the Reds will again be serious contenders for the title next season.

Manchester United could clinch the league crown if they claim a point against Arsenal tomorrow, with Rafa Benitez's side not in action until Sunday at West Bromwich Albion.

However, regardless of the outcome of this weekend's fixtures, Kuyt believes Liverpool can be proud of their achievements this campaign and will be ready to fight it out for the title next term.

"This team can be proud of itself, and the way we have played this season no matter what happens in the final week, we can raise our heads high," said the Dutch forward.

"We have beaten the biggest teams, United and Chelsea, twice each in the league. We can say that there were too many draws in the home games, but you have to learn from it because we are a young team.

"We have a sense now, a really strong belief that we can go on and achieve what we want because the quality is there and the progress is there. If it is not enough this time we will definitely be there for the big push next season.

"The team is getting more experienced, and importantly, the players are now in it for the long term. Important players have agreed new contracts and they all believe they are part of something big. The belief is there."

Following his move from Feyenoord in 2006, Kuyt has firmly established himself as a key component in Benitez's first-team plans.

The 28-year-old has had more than his fair share of critics at times, but even from a young age, he has always been desperate to prove the detractors wrong.

He said: "When I was a kid I didn't get picked up by a professional club, and was just an amateur so I could never have dreamt that I would be part of a club like this.

"I was with an amateur club called Quick Boys and my dream was simply to play in the first team. So to be here now is beyond my wildest dreams.

"When I first started my career, people tried to tell me I wouldn't be a professional, I wouldn't play for a big club in Holland, I wouldn't reach the national team, I wouldn't play for an important club in Europe, and I wouldn't survive at Anfield.

"And I have always proved them wrong, I have always reached the next level. I am still getting better, still reaching my targets and still learning every day.

"Every step along that way I have had another dream and have achieved it. So I will not stop dreaming until we get what we want with Liverpool, and that is the title, this season or next."

Dirk's never-say-die attitude and his seemingly endless energy has drawn plenty of plaudits, and he accepts he is perhaps not your stereotypical Dutch footballer.

"I have heard the jokes that I can't be from Holland, and I know that I am not a typical Dutch player. Maybe I am different to the typical Dutch character too," he said.

"I'm from a fishing village where you have to work really hard, at sea five or six days a week, come home for one day and then be off working even for weeks at a time, so the mentality comes from that I think.

"That is my character, that is what the Liverpool fans see. But if you are talking football-wise then I am definitely not a typical Dutch player.

"You think of them being technically gifted, like Cruyff and Van Basten, Bergkamp and Van Persie - I am just a different kind of player.

"I do like to work very hard every game, but I enjoy myself, and maybe I'm a little more than just hard work.

"I am happy with what I have achieved so far with my own style, and I am still very hungry to do better. I still have the feeling that I can progress, get better and achieve more."

Having lost his father in the summer of 2007, Kuyt has overcome personal heartache to assert himself as one of the Premier League's most effective wide-men.

"I am proud that my father was able to watch me play here at Liverpool in my first year, and the last game he ever watched was the Champions League final which was at the highest level in one of the biggest finals and I scored," he added.

"His wish was that I stay here as long as possible, and that is my wish too. I want to be part of what is happening at Anfield.

"The proudest moment for me was signing for this club, being part of one of the biggest clubs in the world, and of course my father was proud of that fact.

"It is a famous club, one of the biggest in the world, and to be part of it with such a great history for me is something you want to be around as long as possible.

"Every year I am here I am proud. Every year you have to fight for your place and every year there are better and better players coming here to take your place, so I am proud to still be here and to have a new three-year contract."

BENITEZ: BAGGIES COULD SURVIVE

Jimmy Rice 15 May 2009

Rafa Benitez today warned his players to expect a real scrap on Sunday against a West Brom team he believes could yet survive in the Barclays Premier League.

The gaffer is aware his side could seal the Baggies' fate this weekend depending on results for Hull and Newcastle.

However, Benitez knows West Brom will give everything they've got to win three points and keep alive hopes of a great escape.

"It is always difficult when playing a team facing relegation," the Kop boss told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"They put more passion in, maybe. It's a massive difference to go to the Championship after playing in the Premier League.

"It will be a tough game for us. They are fighting.

"Why can't they stay up? The thing is, we have to win - that makes it more difficult for them. But anything can happen in football - the difference is not too big."

SPANIARD: I WANT TO FOLLOW ARBELOA

Jimmy Rice 15 May 2009

West Brom record signing Borja Valero has told of his ambition to emulate Alvaro Arbeloa's success in English football.

The pair, who played together at Real Madrid, will put friendship aside this weekend when Liverpool and West Brom meet for a game both sides must win.

"I speak with Arbeloa every week," said Valero. "He has been a good help to me, because he knows everything in England after being here almost three years.

"He has been a big help to me and my wife during my first season in England.

"For Spanish footballers it is difficult to come here, because the football is so different. You need to play a lot of games before you can play like an English player.

"Arbeloa is in his third season and is probably having his best season. The more I play in England the more I will improve."

West Brom need three points to keep their slim hopes of survival alive, while Liverpool will still be in with a title shout if Arsenal beat Manchester United on Saturday.

Valero joked: "I told Alvaro they have no chance of winning the league and to let us have the three points so we can stay up.

"It's going to be difficult, probably one of the most difficult games of the year."