Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard has asserted that his colleagues do not ride his coattails in massive fixtures ahead of the FA Cup final versus Chelsea at Wembley Stadium at the weekend.
Through the years, Gerrard has performed admirably in the clutch for the Reds, leading the club to previous FA Cup glory in 2000-01 and 2005-06.
“I don’t think [I am relied upon]. We beat Everton in a massive game at Wembley [this year’s semi-final] not so long ago and I didn’t get the goals,” Gerrard told reporters.
“So we’ve certainly got players in and around the squad who can be match-winners. Not all the pressure’s on me. It’s up to everyone to deliver trophies for this club.
“Maybe the knockout nature of the cups has brought the best out of us this season.
“But what it also shows is that when we are down, under the cosh and under pressure, this team is never beaten.”
Although Gerrard told the reporters all the right things, most of his teammates certainly do not deserve his vote of confidence.
Outside of Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy and Maxi Rodriguez, Liverpool’s attacking players have been awful this season, and that’s putting it mildly.
New signings Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing have combined for one goal and one assist in 69 appearances in the English Premier League. In case you’re wondering, that is absolutely woeful.
Meanwhile, £35 talisman Andy Carroll has bagged four goals and one assist in 33 Premier League games in 2011-12.
That may seem impressive when compared to Downing’s zero goals and zero assists, but rest assured that it’s far from efficient. In fact, some may call it horrendous.
To make matters worse, the reliable Dirk Kuyt has not been on form for the Reds in 2011-12.
The Holland international totaled 13 goals and seven assists in the league last season, but has managed just two goals and one assist this term.
Against the odds, Liverpool have already achieved cup success this season after defeating Cardiff City on penalties in the Carling Cup final on February 26.
In addition, the Reds have improbably reached the FA Cup final.
Liverpool may be eighth in the Premier League table, but that will surely be forgotten if they hoist the FA Cup trophy at Wembley on Saturday.
In order to win the FA Cup, the Reds are going to need big performances from Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard. Can Captain Fantastic come through yet again? Not this time.
Who will win the FA Cup on Saturday? Chelsea or Liverpool?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
