Liverpool FC Forum

by **A.B.** » Mon Nov 15, 2004 11:55 pm

Source: Premier League

Steven Gerrard brought the midlands town of Telford to a near standstill when he made his long-awaited comeback for the Liverpool Barclays Premiership Reserve League North team on Monday night.
Midfielder Gerrard, out of action with a broken metatarsal since September 12, played the second half of Liverpool second string’s 1-0 win away to Wolves.

And he came through unscathed in front of an amazing crowd of 6,280 - a record for Telford’s new Bucks Head stadium - which turned the surrounding streets into gridlock.

A little over 300 fans were there last week to see Everton’s Barclays Premiership Reserve League North side.

Neil Mellor scored the late winner for Liverpool, but all eyes were on Gerrard.

He came on at the break, was substituted near the end and just his appearance again in a Liverpool shirt delighted the crowd, many of whom had travelled down from Merseyside to see their hero’s return.

Gerrard had just one shot, played in front of the back four to perform a calm defensive role and did plenty of running but with precious few tackles.

Manager Rafael Benitez was not there to see his club skipper in action, but the Spanish manager will now certainly include Gerrard in the squad for Saturday’s Barclays Premiership trip to Middlesbrough.

But Gerrard’s aim all along has been to be back for Liverpool’s final two Champions League group matches.

He will be on the plane next Tuesday when the team travel to Monaco for a match that if they win will secure them a place in the second stage of the competition.

Gerrard will also, clearly, now be involved for the final game at home to Olympiakos on December 8.

Gerrard has missed 12 games for Liverpool and now gives Benitez a selection headache he will be pleased with, having to chose two from three midfielders with Gerrard now back to compete with Xabi Alonso and Dietmar Hamann for the central midfield roles.

by **Leonmc0708** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 12:14 am

I think firmly beleive that the significance of this particular event is monumental for this club and our season.

It is interesting firstly given the fact that under the previous regime, under Mr Houllier's stewardship, all of the so called big players were never given a reserve game before making their first team comeback.

I think of Owen last season, out for a number of months but once fit he's straight back into the first team, no run outs no nothing. This was the case with the likes of Heskey as well and indeed Gerrard if memory serves me right.

It again shows the behind the scenes changes Rafa has made were everyone is obviously equal whether they are first team or fringe players. This is the Liverpool way, and the best way for the future of this club.

The other significance is the inclusion of Stevie in the squad, for his proposed re-emmergence for our two Champions League games.

Remember the sight of Garard Houllier at the Roma game as he walked back out onto the hallowed turf and after greeting Mr Capello took his place back at the helm. Remember also the incredible galvanising effect this had on the team, players, fans and the whole place.

This can be the same from the talisman of last season, Gerrrard, as he drags us kicking and screaming into the next stage of the Champions League, securing in the process the necessary funds to strangthen our squad, and the immidiate future of not only the club, but Stevie himself, in his rightful place at the helm of our mighty club.

by **A.B.** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 2:37 am

Well said Leon.

Here are more news on the skipper.

Source: Liverpool FC.tv

I'm itching to get back into the first team. I have to take my time and be patient and I don't just expect to walk straight back into the team. I need games now and hopefully in four or five games I will be 100 per cent fit again.

"It was nice to come through the game and I had been looking forward to this game for some time. I didn't want to go straight into first team action without testing the foot out, and I've tested it out and it feels 100 per cent and I feel good.

"It was nice to get a feel for the game and I had a couple of chances to score as well. It would have been nice to get a goal but Mellor's the goal machine again!

"It's been a very frustrating two months for me as I hate watching football when I'm not playing. Hopefully that is behind me now and I hope I can find my form. There are a lot of good games to look forward to now and the good thing about getting injured early on in the season is you've got the rest of it to look forward to."

The Reds captain says he has been impressed with the team in his absence and said he was proud of their performance to win 1-0 in Deportivo La Coruna which showed improvements have been made from last season.

Gerrard said: "The boys have done really well without me and we are still in the Champions League and still in all the other competitions so hopefully the future is bright.

"I thought the lads did really well when they won in Deportivo and they put a massive performance in out there. The whole squad has shown we are moving forward in the right direction and we've got to keep on improving and keep building then hopefully we'll reap the benefits."

Gerrard also wants to continue his scoring form he displayed before the injury set in at Old Trafford.

"My aim is to get back and scoring more goals for the team," said Gerrard. At the start of the season I set myself a personal target and that's what I want to improve on goals from midfield. They came for me at the start of the season and hopefully they will come for me again now I'm back."

I'm curious whether Nunez will play this weekend or not as he didn't play in today's reserve game.

by **SouthernScouser** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:15 am

STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE

I agree Leon - could be very significant !
I reckon they should keep him warming the bench at the weekend - then - UNLEASH him from the start(if ready) or at some point when we are in Europe
Would make it fantastic for the fans & players

by **Santa** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:23 am

Leon, I am in complete agreement with you... well said!

by **Paul C** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:54 am

Leonmc0708 wrote:I think firmly beleive that the significance of this particular event is monumental for this club and our season.

It is interesting firstly given the fact that under the previous regime, under Mr Houllier's stewardship, all of the so called big players were never given a reserve game before making their first team comeback.

I think of Owen last season, out for a number of months but once fit he's straight back into the first team, no run outs no nothing. This was the case with the likes of Heskey as well and indeed Gerrard if memory serves me right.

It again shows the behind the scenes changes Rafa has made were everyone is obviously equal whether they are first team or fringe players. This is the Liverpool way, and the best way for the future of this club.

The other significance is the inclusion of Stevie in the squad, for his proposed re-emmergence for our two Champions League games.

Remember the sight of Garard Houllier at the Roma game as he walked back out onto the hallowed turf and after greeting Mr Capello took his place back at the helm. Remember also the incredible galvanising effect this had on the team, players, fans and the whole place.

This can be the same from the talisman of last season, Gerrrard, as he drags us kicking and screaming into the next stage of the Champions League, securing in the process the necessary funds to strangthen our squad, and the immidiate future of not only the club, but Stevie himself, in his rightful place at the helm of our mighty club.

Good point Leon!! :angry:

by **Leonmc0708** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 11:37 am

The report I got from a friend inside the club who was at the game last night was that Stevie felt no ill effects, and the foot was OK. He has even gone as far as declaring himself fit for the game at the Riverside:

Liverpoolfc.tv:

Steven Gerrard has declared himself fit and ready to make a first team return for Liverpool at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Reds captain emerged unscathed from a 45-minute reserve team run-out on Monday night to hand manager Rafael Benitez a massive boost as the Reds second string won 1-0 at Wolves courtesy of a Neil Mellor goal.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv afterwards Gerrard said: "It's great to be back. I felt sharp out there and I enjoyed it. I feel fit and it's up to the manager now whether or not he plays me on some capacity on Saturday. It's been frustrating being out but I enjoyed the game.

"I'm itching to get back into the first team. I have to take my time and be patient and I don't just expect to walk straight back into the team. I need games now and hopefully in four or five games I will be 100 per cent fit again.

"It was nice to come through the game and I had been looking forward to this game for some time. I didn't want to go straight into first team action without testing the foot out, and I've tested it out and it feels 100 per cent and I feel good.

"It was nice to get a feel for the game and I had a couple of chances to score as well. It would have been nice to get a goal but Mellor's the goal machine again!

"It's been a very frustrating two months for me as I hate watching football when I'm not playing. Hopefully that is behind me now and I hope I can find my form. There are a lot of good games to look forward to now and the good thing about getting injured early on in the season is you've got the rest of it to look forward to."

The Reds captain says he has been impressed with the team in his absence and said he was proud of their performance to win 1-0 in Deportivo La Coruna which showed improvements have been made from last season.

Gerrard said: "The boys have done really well without me and we are still in the Champions League and still in all the other competitions so hopefully the future is bright.

"I thought the lads did really well when they won in Deportivo and they put a massive performance in out there. The whole squad has shown we are moving forward in the right direction and we've got to keep on improving and keep building then hopefully we'll reap the benefits."

Gerrard also wants to continue his scoring form he displayed before the injury set in at Old Trafford.

"My aim is to get back and scoring more goals for the team," said Gerrard. At the start of the season I set myself a personal target and that's what I want to improve on goals from midfield. They came for me at the start of the season and hopefully they will come for me again now I'm back."

I wonder if he will be played, or simply brought on as a substitute. For me we dont really have to rush him back into the side (like we would have had to do last season for instance) just yet, so a place on the bench, a late cameo and a goal from 50 yards will do for me.

by **Woollyback** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 7:50 pm

It's fantastic news that Stevie's fit again. This is the opportunity for us to really step on the gas and assert ourselves on the league & CL. Come on Stevie!!

by **Redrider** » Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:32 pm

SouthernScouser wrote:STEVIE, STEVIE, STEVIE

I agree Leon - could be very significant !
I reckon they should keep him warming the bench at the weekend - then - UNLEASH him from the start(if ready) or at some point when we are in Europe
Would make it fantastic for the fans & players

Nice thought, but if he is fit enough he needs to play at Boro'. He needs the match practice !!

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