Offside News

Sports

Liverpool captain Gerrard returns

Comment: 0 September 22nd, 2011 by: admin

He’s back.

After a six-month absence, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard returned to the field Wednesday night to help battle Brighton in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Gerrard entered the game after 75 minutes to replace Luis Suarez and reinforce a midfield comprising Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva.

The 31-year old, who produced a number of passes and forward thrusts, mused that his introduction would have happened earlier in the game had the Reds held a lead bigger than 1-0.

‘If we were two or three up at half-time, I might have got a few more minutes,’ said Gerrard.  ‘But it wasn’t about me tonight.  It was about progressing into the next round of the cup.’

The skipper added that the previous 4-0 thrashing Liverpool recently received care of Tottenham Hotspur had been put behind them.

‘[It’s was also about] getting the defeat at Tottenham out of our system, and I think we did that tonight.’

Reds manager Kenny Dalglish gushed at Gerrard’s return, referring to him as the team ‘talisman.’

‘It’s fantastic for everyone at the football club to see the talisman back,’ said Dalglish.  ‘It gives everybody a lift, but we are more pleased for Stevie than anyone else.  He has worked very hard.  We’ll now manage the situation as we have, we need to be careful.’

The skipper’s future contributions to the club, however, lie dependent on Dalglish’s decision on how far to put Gerrard back out in the field.

‘It’s up to the manager now,’ said Gerrard.  ‘Obviously I’ve been out for six months so it’s all about getting training sessions and matches just under my belt so I can get match fit and get to the form I want to be at.’

Gerrard’s return also proved wondrous for Brighton players, notably winger Craig Noone, a former player at the Liverpool academy.

‘Playing against Liverpool has been unbelievable,’ he recalled.  ‘To play against Gerrard, to just stand here next to him, it’s a dream come true.’

The Reds started strong in their visit to the American Express Community Stadium as a Suarez setup ended with a Craig Bellamy goal – the Welshman’s first since his return from Manchester City – by the 7^th minute.

Bellamy’s goal was followed by a number of near-goal attempts from Suarez, Bellamy (from 35 yards) and Spearing, all with the ball skimming the post.

Liverpool’s 1-0 halftime lead finally advanced by one goal as Maxi Rodriguez set up a shot that Dirk Kuyt sent to the net at minute 81.

With the second half reaching its waning minutes Brighton landed a goal via Ashley Barnes at the 90^th minute in a situation that already saw Liverpool as the impending and eventual victors.

More