Gerrard thanks 'magnificent' fans

Steven Gerrard today issued a heartfelt thank you to Liverpool fans for the support they've given him in 2011 as he prepares to continue his comeback against Newcastle United this evening.

The 31-year-old returned to action as a second-half substitute against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day following an ankle infection that had kept him out of action since late October.

The problem followed on from a groin injury that had ruled Gerrard out from March until September.

However, while he acknowledges the injuries have been a great source of frustration, the club captain is keen to pay tribute to the Reds fans who helped keep his spirits up - and he's eager to repay them.

"It's just great to be back involved again and be back with my teammates," said Gerrard.

"The last eight weeks have been really long. It was a freak injury and coming so soon after being out for so long with my groin it's been absolute torture.

"I've just had to work so hard to get back again and now I'm looking forward to playing games.

"Coming on against Blackburn was special. The reception I got when I came on was really touching and it meant a lot to me.

"There have been a lot of lonely days in the gym this year when you struggle to motivate yourself. But moments like that on Monday night make it all worthwhile.

"The support I've had from the supporters throughout has been magnificent and I want to thank them for that."

He added: "I have worked my socks off over the past eight weeks and I feel really good.

"I'm feeling in great condition and all I need now is minutes under my belt to get the sharpness back.

"Kenny knows me inside out and he will know when the time is right for me to come in from the start. He will make the decision and I will just follow his lead.

"Hopefully I'll play some part in the game against Newcastle and we all want to finish 2011 on a high."

In total, Gerrard has played just 12 times for Kenny Dalglish since the Anfield legend was restored to the managerial hotseat last January - but he's now looking forward to putting together a regular run in the side over the remainder of the campaign.

He said: "Without doubt I'll be glad to see the back of 2011. It's been tough but that's all in the past now.

"We have got a massive game against Newcastle and we need to take care of that and finish this year on a high before we start thinking about next year.

"But I'm looking forward to 2012. There's still so much to play for this season.

"If I can just get a bit of luck and stay fit hopefully I can really enjoy the final five months of the season."

Having returned to action as a substitute against Brighton on September 21 following a groin complaint, Gerrard had been looking as though he was nearing peak fitness - as demonstrated by an excellent performance and goal in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United in his first start of the campaign.

However, prior to the Reds' trip to West Bromwich Albion a couple of weeks later, the midfielder was diagnosed with an ankle infection and was left facing up to the prospect of eight weeks on the sidelines.

"It was a major blow for me," admits Gerrard. "I had started against United and Norwich and I was just starting to feel really sharp.

"I was back in the groove and feeling good but then I got a freak injury. There was no link whatsoever with the infection I'd had previously in my groin - it was just bad luck.

"I got tackled in training and there was a small wound on my ankle. It wasn't a big gash that needed stitching or anything but it got infected and my ankle really swelled up.

"If I hadn't got it sorted quickly it could have been dangerous. But the treatment I got from the medical staff was absolutely brilliant. Both the medical and coaching staff at the club have managed me superbly.

"I needed to go into hospital to get the infection washed out. After that I was in plaster for a couple of weeks and on crutches for about a month."

He continued: "When the surgeon said I would miss another eight weeks it was really tough to take.

"It took me weeks to get over the news. It absolutely killed me.

"With my groin I could understand it because you expect wear and tear over the years. I could understand that one day that would need fixing. But the ankle injury was just a freak.

"You just have to get over that initial blow as quickly as you can. You have to fight and get on with the rehab.

"The last eight weeks have been really long, especially coming on the back of being out for six months with my groin. It's been tough but what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

"I'm really happy with how I handled it. I've worked my socks off to get back and now I'm feeling in great condition. I'm just looking forward to playing games."

Gerrard returns to a Liverpool side who are just three points off a Champions League position and will contest the Carling Cup semi-final with Manchester City next month.

The skipper has been delighted by what he's witnessed from the team while on the sidelines and believes the Reds have much to play for over the course of the next five months.

Gerrard said: "We've been playing some fantastic stuff.

"We're defending really well and creating plenty of chances but we're not getting the rewards we deserve at the moment. We're right on the edge of where we want it.

"We need to keep going and there's no time to feel sorry for ourselves. Hopefully the breaks will start going our way.

"For me, it's just great to be back involved. And the positive thing is that I'm coming back at a time when there are so many massive games coming up.

"It's been frustrating missing so much football but there are tons of big games still to play. The season is just starting to warm up and I'm really excited about playing a part in that. All I can ask for is that I stay fit and healthy."

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Liverpool FC make enquiry for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent

Liverpool have made an enquiry for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent. 
The 27-year-old will be sacrificed by Villa boss Alex McLeish as he attempts to bolster the mid-table side's transfer kitty during the upcoming window.

Speculation over Bent's future has began to mount after injury sidelined him for Villa's 2-0 defeat to Liverpool earlier this month yet was photographed shopping in Cambridge on the same day.

His fire power and link-up play with England team mate Stewart Downing, who left Villa last summer, is understood to be the key motivation for Liverpool's Champions League charge.

Kenny Dalglish has been mulling over a move for the well-travelled hit man in light of the club's lack of clinical edge in front of goal, which has resulted in six home draws.

Luis Suarez's goal tally has stalled while Andy Carroll continues to shoulder the burden of the excessive £35million price tag which lured him to Anfield just 11 months prior.

Monday's stalemate with bottom club Blackburn Rovers has prompted Liverpool to signal their intent for Bent, who appears set to leave Villa Park almost a year since his arrival.

In spite of McLeish's doubt that 'anybody' could afford the club's record signing, the former Sunderland man will be allowed to leave for significantly less than his £24million valuation.


But Liverpool face competition from both Fulham and newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers.

Damien Comolli, the Reds' director of football, admitted last January that the club had considered a move for Bent prior to his move to Villa but claimed that his "lone wolf" approach to games would have proved incompatible with striker Fernando Torres, who later joined Chelsea.

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Stevie is looking superb says KD

Kenny Dalglish today spoke of his delight that captain Steven Gerrard is back in action and admitted he is looking sharper than the last time he returned.

The Reds skipper returned as a second half substitute during the Boxing Day draw with Blackburn Rovers, and the boss said he will ease him back into the team.

"Steven was back to full fitness before he got a freak injury and that's why he had to recover again, but the two of them weren't related and he is back and looks even better than he did the last time he came back.

"But we are not going to be irresponsible and throw him in and take a chance. We know he's fit and we know he just needs game time in the same way as we monitored him through last time and we'll do the same this time.

"He looks superb at the moment."

Dalglish was also asked how big a lift Gerrard's return has given to the rest of the squad.

He added: "We have got three captains in the dressing room in Stevie, Carra and Pepe so we've always said it's best to have your strongest players, your best players, fit and around the squad, so we've got the three captains in there now and it must make us better and stronger.

"Given a bit of luck in front of goal I think it will make us a lot stronger on the pitch as well."

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LFC held to another draw

Liverpool had to settle for a disappointing 1-1 draw against bottom side Blackburn in the Premier League on Monday despite the return of captain Steven Gerrard after a two-month injury layoff.

Maxi Rodriguez equalized for Liverpool with a header from close range in the 53rd minute to cancel out Charlie Adam's own goal right before halftime.

Gerrard came on as a substitute with 21 minutes left but couldn't inspire his team to a victory as the hosts again lacked a cutting edge up front despite a multitude of chances.

Kenny Dalglish's side remained unbeaten at home this season, but have now drawn six and won three and been held five times in the last six outings at Anfield.

Liverpool was in control early but lacked the spark and crispness which the Reds have usually had lately.

Luis Suarez's second-minute free kick sailed just over, before Adam sliced an ambitious volley from outside the area which gave goalkeeper Mark Bunn an easy save.

Suarez had two more chances but hit one into the side-netting from Glen Johnson's pass, and missed the target completely with a left-footed shot from a similar position on the right of the penalty area.

Andy Carroll had a goal ruled out on the half-hour as Suarez was offside.

Blackburn had few chances and needed a helping hand to score against the run of play, as Adam diverted Morten Gamst Pedersen's inswinging corner past his own goalkeeper just seconds before halftime.

But it took Liverpool just eight minutes to equalize.

Downing's cross was cleared only as far as Martin Skrtel who hooked the ball back to the far post where Rodriguez headed in from close range.

The goal gave the Reds a spark, and Suarez headed a corner wide from a spot very close to where his teammate had equalized, while Carroll's overhead kick was then cleared by Grant Hanley.

Gerrard finally made his long-awaited return to action in the 69th minute when he replaced Adam and ran straight on to curl in a free kick which was headed over by Rodriguez.

Suarez then headed over Johnson's cross before the England defender was relieved to see David Dunn stab wide after needlessly giving away possession in midfield.

Liverpool twice thought they had earned the points in the closing moments, with Carroll drawing a fine save from Bunn with a close-range volley and 17-year-old Adam Henley, on his first senior start, clearing off the line after Daniel Agger's header from the subsequent corner.

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KD: Luis emotional and grateful

Kenny Dalglish has revealed Luis Suarez was 'emotional and grateful' for the support he received from his teammates this week.

Liverpool's players issued a statement in support of the Uruguay striker ahead of Wednesday's clash with Wigan and also wore t-shirts in the pre-match warm-up to demonstrate their backing.

Dalglish said: "He was quite emotional and very grateful.

"I don't think it's ever a disappointment when your teammates and the people you work for give you their undivided support. For me, that's the least he deserves."

On when Liverpool will receive further documentation from the Football Association, Dalglish said: "Whenever it's ready. Until everybody gets it and knows the reasons behind the things, I think most people have said what they want to say.

"We've certainly said what we have to say. We'll wait until we get the judgement and take it from there.

"The club have issued a statement, the players have made their statement both visually and verbally. It's best for everybody to wait and see what the written retort is because nobody knows - we don't even know."

Dalglish added: "I don't think right at this moment in time the club are permitted to go into any further detail than what they have done in their statement, which couldn't have caused anyone any trouble. I don't think the players have caused any trouble with the FA either with their statement or the t-shirts, so if we're not in any trouble we'll just leave it at that before we do give ourselves some trouble."

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How many passes did Jose make?

Jose Enrique recorded a very impressive pass completion rate during our goalless draw with Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night. Here are a selection of interesting statistics from the game courtesy of Opta.

The Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match had the most passes during the clash, making 66 and recording an 81.8 per cent pass accuracy.

Maxi Rodriguez also had an impressive night during his 72 minute outing. The Argentine made 32 passes, bringing up a pass accuracy of 93.8 per cent.

The Argentine made 32 passes during the outing, bringing up a pass accuracy of 93.8 per cent.

Jordan Henderson also had some good figures in the centre of midfield. The England international made 48 total passes during the 90 minutes recording an accuracy of 91.7 per cent.

The Reds made 442 passes during the outing compared to Wigan's 359.

Liverpool had 21 shots at goal during the 90 minutes, nine of them on target, with a 52.9 per cent shot accuracy.

Wigan had 19 efforts at Pepe Reina's goal.

The Reds had 14 corners compared to Wigan's seven.

Kenny Dalglish's charges had 55.3 per cent of the possession while Wigan had 44.7 per cent.

Wigan stopper Ali Al-Habsi was the undoubted star performer and including the penalty save, made nine key saves during the 90 minutes with a saving accuracy of 100 per cent.

The Latics may have a tall side in general but Liverpool won 64 per cent of their aerial duels compared to Wigan's 35.3 per cent.

Roberto Martinez's side made 37 successful clearances compared to 20 from Liverpool.

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Liverpool FC: 3 Strikers That Would Arrive in a Perfect World

Liverpool have encountered a somewhat major stumbling block in the form of an eight-match ban for star striker Luis Suarez. Though the ban will be appealed, the ban will still take place. Regardless of Suarez's inclusion in the starting lineup, Liverpool need a striker that will score goals.

Suarez isn't clinical at times, Kuyt has looked off the mark, Bellamy has to be used sparingly, and Carroll hasn't kicked off yet. If Liverpool are to achieve targets they have set, a proven striker must walk through Liverpool's gates before or on January 31st.

1.- KARIM BENZEMA

 

Given that Real Madrid have one of the best attack forces in the world, it comes as no surprise that Benzema doesn't play as much football as he would like. This may be the pivotal factor in a move away from Madrid and into Liverpool, and he would ensure more goals in a Liverpool squad that are in dire need of some firepower.

2.- HULK

 

3 . - FERNANDO TORRES

 

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It's funny that now Torres has been linked back to Anfield, all is wonderful. He is no longer a traitor.

I never thought he was a traitor, to be honest. Sure, he left. Ronaldo left United. It happens. I always wanted him to do well atChelsea, simply because I am a Torres fan.

Now if he came back, imagine that. Gerrard's passing coupled with movement by Torres almost won Liverpool a title singlehandedly.

Now factor in Suarez. His movement, Torres' movement. That, ladies and gentlemen, equals goals.

Everyone knows Hulk. He can score the tap-ins and score the spectacular. He is everything you want from a striker. Enough said.

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