Captain Steven Gerrard ranks Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of Arsenal in the club’s top three performances of the past 15 years.
Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesSteven Gerrard called Liverpool’s win over Arsenal one of his squad’s top performances.
But the scintillating form shown at Anfield not only on Saturday but throughout the season leaves the England international inclined to disagree with his manager Brendan Rodgers’ assertion that they are not title contenders.
However, for now he is toeing the party line and said they are still focusing on maintaining their fourth place.
“I am trying to think back of a performance — especially in the first half — that I can remember in the last 15 years,” said the midfielder.
“Maybe one or two in the Champions League got close but that was as explosive as it gets. That is right up there: definitely in the top three performances I have been involved in.
“You are talking about a side that is top of the league with world-class players, ones who are worth 42 million punds; Jack Wilshere, one of the country’s big hopes who we are looking to perform at a World Cup; (Santi) Cazorla — a World Cup winner.
“We have absolutely demolished a top team there from start to finish.”
So being just six points off leaders Chelsea, who still have to come to Anfield, puts Liverpool firmly in the title race surely?
“According to Brendan we are not,” said Gerrard, who looked as determined as ever to end the club’s 23-year wait to add to their 18 league championships already in the Anfield trophy room.
“Ask the manager (why not). Listen, he said we are not so we are all behind Brendan. We do what he says and he says we are not in the title race, so we carry on pushing for the top four and see where it takes us.”
Gerrard said although the performance sent out a message to their top-four rivals the team had to back it up by consistently producing.
“You can set markers and you can have one-off games but it means nothing if you don’t continue to play well and get something from it at the end of the season,” added the England captain.
“We aren’t going to look back at the end of the season and think ‘How good were we against Arsenal?’ if we never got the top four.
“We can enjoy this but we have got to move on quickly and try and get three points against Arsenal.”
Comments
Use a Facebook account to add a comment, subject to Facebook’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Your Facebook name, photo & other personal information you make public on Facebook will appear with your comment, and may be used on ESPN’s media platforms. Learn more.
