Sounds like someone who's leaving

[Modo]

Gerrard thanks Liverpool FC
12th Jun 2010 - Latest News

Steven Gerrard today thanked everyone at Liverpool Football Club for their help over the years as he prepares to lead England out in the World Cup.

The 30-year-old will skipper the Three Lions in Saturday's opening game against USA - and he took time out of preparations in Rustenburg to pay tribute to those who have helped him reach what will undoubtedly be one of his career highs.

"It's a huge honour to be England captain at the World Cup finals and, of course, it gives you a huge sense of satisfaction," said our No.8.

"All I can do is thank everyone at Liverpool who has helped me get here; from the coaching staff to the constant backing of the supporters - the roles they have played will never be forgotten.

"I'm fortunate to play at a level where the prizes on offer are tremendous and I've been lucky to enjoy lots of success with Liverpool. But now I'm determined to stay in this tournament all the way to the end.

"In a few years, I want to look back at South Africa and say I enjoyed it, I played my part and led a successful England team.

"When you are a kid, you dream of playing at a World Cup finals and 1990 - when Paul Gascoigne was the star performer - was the first one I really studied; it would be amazing if I could have a similar impact."

Gerrard and co have seen clips of streets and communities plastered with St George's flags ahead of the big kick off.

"I've seen the clips and it's touching," said Gerrard. "I'm well aware of the support back home. I've never forgotten my roots and I'd love to be able to come back and share my memories with everyone."

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Eerie feeling...

 

[themn]

Oh Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo !!!

 

[Irish_Red]

No big deal in what he said, he's captaining his country in a world cup its a massive achievement and has a decent chance of winning it and him been the man to lift the trophy, why should he not thank the Liverpool staff and supporters.

 

[vantage]

Hmmmm. I don't read it like that at all.......

 

[Squiggles]

Nor me.

Leading your country out in the World Cup has to be the greatest honour of a footballer, and it would seem a natural moment to take stock and wonder how you got to that situation and thank those who helped you along the way.

If I was Gerrard's impartial adviser, or best mate, I'd tell him to pack his bags - but I'm not, so I'll shut up.

 

[Avmenon]

True enough.

HIs body language was very clear tho; he seemed happy for the first time this season.

 

[RolandG]

It's a pleasure Stevie! It's just Stevie being sincere granted that its the first time I hear him give thanx!

 

[TheBunnyman]

That last sentence is a bit strange, I must admit. I reckon he'll stay though.

I'm less sure of Torres and Mascher.

 

[RolandG]

Torres will stay much like Gerrard. Mascherano will probably be sold. He hasn't signed his contract and the club will cash in on him!

Potchefstroom is gone Torres crazy. Training sessions are full of Liverpool supporters who are even travelling from Johannesburg for a glimse of him. After each training session he is signing autographs for the fans! Nice touch from the man!

 

[Judge Jules]

[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40579.msg1118825#msg1118825 date=1276394616]
True enough.

HIs body language was very clear tho; he seemed happy for the first time this season.
[/quote]

Here's a question for you then, Avvy - how long do you imagine that would last if he were to leave LFC and the city? As the question implies, I can't see it doing so. All the gongs in the world wouldn't fill the gap in his life which would be left by such a move. I'd remind him of what he said, and what appears in his autobiog, around the time when he was on the point of taking Chelsea's shilling, and then I'd advise him very firmly indeed to stay put.

 

[the count]

This doesn't sound like a player about to leave and it doesn't seem he expects his captain to depart either......


Torres: Last season hurt
Fernando Torres admits all of Liverpool's players are still nursing the pain of a disastrous season.



The Reds could only muster a seventh-placed finish in the Barclays Premier League last season, meaning they missed out on the Champions League.

All of those connected with the club suffered over the course of the campaign, with players, coaches and supporters unable to stop the rot. Star striker Torres admits he was left bitterly disappointed by Liverpool's failings, but says all of the squad know they must do much better.

He especially feels for club captain and Merseyside native Steven Gerrard, for whom results at Anfield mean more than most.



"This season Liverpool have been written and talked about a lot," Torres said.

"But what people forget is that fundamentally last season hurt the players and the boss.

"The club means a lot to us and the fans mean a lot to us. We didn't want to give them a season like that.

"Trust me when I tell you nobody will be hurting more than Stevie. He is Mr Liverpool and he sees the Liverpool fans as family. Last season really hurt him.

"He desperately wants to win the Premier League with Liverpool and every season that he does not do it hurts a bit more."

Torres, who is currently on World Cup duty with Spain, hopes he will get the chance to go head-to-head with his club colleague in South Africa this summer as he believes Gerrard deserves to be strutting his stuff on the biggest stage.



He added: "He is the best captain I have ever played under. As long as we don't meet earlier, I see it being an England versus Spain final.

"They have fantastic players all over the pitch. I have been telling the Spanish lads all about them.

"I see Gerrard and (Wayne) Rooney on the same level as (Lionel) Messi, Xavi, Kaka, (Cristiano) Ronaldo and the other top players.

"It would be a dream to play England in the final and an England-Spain final would be a showcase of the two best nations in world football."

 

[Judge Jules]

Indeed. I've been confident all along that the pair of them will give us at least another season, Stevie almost certainly more than that, and Nando likewise provided we don't make a second lash-up of it in a row.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Sounds encouraging from Torres. He's wrong about England though. They're nothing like as good as Spain and Brazil.

 

[Judge Jules]

He knows that, Bunny. I read it more as a comment on the quality of the domestic leagues involved.

 

[the count]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=40579.msg1119001#msg1119001 date=1276452490]
Sounds encouraging from Torres. He's wrong about England though. They're nothing like as good as Spain and Brazil.
[/quote]

Yea, its good that the quotes themselves are encouraging rather than just some spin put on them by whatever angle the journo writing the piece want to take.

 

[Avmenon]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=40579.msg1118942#msg1118942 date=1276440867]
[quote author=Avmenon link=topic=40579.msg1118825#msg1118825 date=1276394616]
True enough.

HIs body language was very clear tho; he seemed happy for the first time this season.
[/quote]

Here's a question for you then, Avvy - how long do you imagine that would last if he were to leave LFC and the city? As the question implies, I can't see it doing so. All the gongs in the world wouldn't fill the gap in his life which would be left by such a move. I'd remind him of what he said, and what appears in his autobiog, around the time when he was on the point of taking Chelsea's shilling, and then I'd advise him very firmly indeed to stay put.
[/quote]

I dont think he's leaving either,Jules...but I do think he seems happy playing football again.