 Steven Gerrard of Liverpool in action with Dario Dainellii of Fiorentina
|
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has challenged his team to use their Champions League loss to Fiorentina as a spur for Sunday's game at Chelsea.
The Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat in Florence on Tuesday but face an important league game at title-rivals Chelsea this weekend.
"We need to get the Fiorentina loss out of our system quickly, as we have a massive game at Chelsea," said Gerrard.
"What we need is to produce a reaction from this defeat at Stamford Bridge."
Liverpool and Chelsea are currently separated by just three points and lie third and second respectively in the Premier League table.
The Reds' league form going into the clash at Stamford Bridge is superb, having scored 16 goals in a run of four games unbeaten.
 |
I believe this group is still wide open, there's plenty of football to be played.
Steven Gerrard
|
However, the side were a shadow of their recent selves on Tuesday, producing a lacklustre display in the Stadio Artemio Franchi as they fell to two first half goals from 19-year-old Montenegro striker Stevan Jovetic.
"We were second best all over the pitch and deserved to go in at the break losing," said midfielder Gerrard.
"We normally play at a high tempo, pass the ball really well and play well on the counter-attack but there was no real tempo in our game."
Defender Jamie Carragher agreed that the Reds were well beaten on the night.
"We didn't perform well enough, we know that," he said. "We were slightly better in the second half, but still not good enough.
|
606: DEBATE
jeto12
|
"Nothing went to plan. It was a massive game for them, and a massive game for us, but they seemed to be more ready for it from the start.
The defeat leaves Liverpool third in Champions League Group E, level with second-place Fiorentina on three points but with an inferior goal difference and trailing leaders Lyon by three points.
With Fiorentina next facing home and away matches against Hungarian side Debrecen - who have proven to be the weakest side in the group so far - Liverpool are under pressure to produce results home and away to French side Lyon.
Gerrard though is optimistic that the Reds have enough quality to secure qualification.
"I believe this group is still wide open, there's plenty of football to be played and we are now in the same position as Fiorentina with a win and a defeat, and they still have to face us at Anfield.
"If we win our next home game, and that's against the group leaders Lyon, things will be different. If we win our home games now that should still be enough, we'll be fine."
Sunday's league opponents Chelsea face an away match with Cypriot champions Apoel Nicosia in Group D of the Champions League on Wednesday.
They will be hoping for an improvement on Saturday's performance in losing 3-1 at Wigan, a match that also saw keeper Petr Cech sent off.
- purchase isotretinoin - order isotretinoin online
- cheap finasteride - order generic propecia online
- viagra kaufen apotheke
- buy valium online - buy valium
- cialis kaufen schweiz - viagra kaufen
No comments:
Post a Comment