GERRARD: LET'S NOT BLOW OUR ROME DREAM

cchl8

[tr][td=2,1,487]GERRARD: LET'S NOT BLOW OUR ROME DREAM

[/td][/tr][tr][td=1,1,130] [/td][td=1,1,357]Steven Gerrard has urged his teammates not to blow the chance to play in a fairytale final in Rome next May. Liverpool tonight bid to qualify for a Champions League which reaches its finale in the stadium where Emlyn Hughes lifted our first European Cup back in 1977.
  
After a goalless draw in Liege two weeks ago, Gerrard isn't taking entry into the group stages for granted - but the skipper hopes the prospect of a dream final in nine months' time will inspire the Reds into the competition proper and beyond.
  
"We want to go one further than last year and we're confident we can do it," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv.
  
"They were the better team on the night two weeks ago and you have to give them credit. It was a massive wake-up call that they can't be underestimated. They have some big, physical boys who can also play a bit.
  
"We need to make sure we improve from Saturday and see that we're on it – if not, we'll come unstuck.
  
"It's a massive game and we need to play very well. But we know we're at home and we're at a better level than two weeks ago, so we're very confident we'll win the game.
  
"The squad's even stronger this year and we know how good we can be in Europe over two legs. To go to Rome and get to another final would be an unbelievable achievement but that's the target we've set for ourselves."
  
Defeat or a score draw tonight would see Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time under Rafa Benitez.
  
Despite his confidence, Gerrard knows the pressure is on.
  
"An away goal would throw a spanner in the works so we have to defend properly," he added. "But we're capable of keeping clean sheets and we know we have match winners in the team.
  
"There certainly is respect for the opposition. We can't afford to start slowly and go a goal down – that would be a disaster.
  
"There is a bit of pressure but we have to play our own game. A first goal will help us settle but, you know, on paper we should win this game.
  
"It's easy to say that, though; now we've got to go out there and do it on the pitch."
  
Gerrard admits Liverpool have yet to leave "second gear" this season, but with six Barclays Premier League points already on the board, the 28-year-old is concentrating on the positives.
  
He explained: "It looked like we were going to lose points at home but now it's very nice to see six points on the board already. But we're not happy with how we're playing at the minute – we need to raise it a bit.
  
"When we were losing 1-0 we'd have taken a point because Middlesbrough were defending well and we weren't playing well at all. If you look at our games last season, that's where we came unstuck – drawing and losing at home.
  
"To win the league you need to win when you're playing badly and that's what happened on Saturday.
  
"The pleasing thing at the moment is that we've won two out of two and yet we're still in second gear. We know we can step it up."
  
The remarkable comeback against Middlesbrough was secured thanks to an injury-time hit from Gerrard five minutes after Jamie Carragher equalised with a deflected strike which some credited as an Emanuel Pogatetz own goal.
  
Ever a good friend, the club captain is adamant the leveller should go down as Carra's fifth career goal.
  
He said: "You've got to give him it. If he hadn't had a shot from there then we wouldn't have got the goal. He deserves the credit and deserves the goal." [/td][/tr]