GERRARD WARY AFTER HAMMER BLOW
Jimmy Rice 04 March 2008
Steven Gerrard has warned his teammates they'll be facing a wounded animal when West Ham arrive at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Hammers come to Merseyside on the back of a 4-0 home defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Gerrard is keen to ensure the Reds guard against a backlash, especially with Alan Curbishley's side still gunning for a UEFA Cup spot next season.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "As footballers, when you are on the end of a battering you hurt and you want to put it right straight away.
"They'll come to Anfield hoping to get a good result, and a good result for them would be a draw. That's what they'll come here to get, but a draw is no good for us."
Liverpool have waited the entire season for their game in hand to arrive – and Gerrard for one is desperate to now make it count.
He knows three points would elevate the Reds to fourth spot once more, ahead of Everton on goal difference.
"West Ham have bought some good players after a disappointing season for them last year," said the skipper. "They've got good players and a good manager, so we have a lot of respect.
"We're desperate for the points though, and we're at Anfield. We've been waiting for this game for a long time, now we've got to make it count."
Sunday's 3-1 victory at the Reebok made it three wins on the bounce for Rafa Benitez's side, a welcome run after a season blighted by draws.
The Reds have had to settle for a point 11 times this season – six at Anfield.
Gerrard added: "I am confident we can now go on a winning run. Some of the draws have been very disappointing because we've been really good at home in the last few seasons. Normally we struggle away from home but it's vice versa this season.
"I'm sure we'll get both right in time and improve on our league position."
Liverpool go into Wednesday night's game looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat at Upton Park just over a month ago, a game which was decided by a last-minute penalty.
Gerrard said: "It was disappointing to lose that game. We didn't really feel under any pressure during the 90 minutes and we didn't feel like we were going to lose the game. I think we deserved more."
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We need revenge tomorrow night, so very important to get three points to keep the pressure on the blue sh*te, can't afford any slip ups.
I like that team that you suggested DonRafael, but I honestly think that Kuyt deserves to keep his place, he's been playing well recently and after all the stick he's had this season, he is finally getting a bit of confidence back and I think he should at least be in the team up front with Torres or at the very least on the bench.
Mind you I can't help but feel sorry for Crouchie, hasn't done anything wrong, yet hardly gets a look in, wouldn't surprise me if he goes in the summer
Going for 2-0 to the lads tomorrow night, keep the confidence up nice and high for the game against Newcastle at the weekend and then it's the big match against Inter..........need to be in buoyant mood for that.
Go Go the Mighty Liverpool
