[lfc-news] Ian Rush column - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 14 Dec 2004
Resist talking about Anfield future
By Ian Rush

It seems no matter whether Liverpool win, lose or draw, Steven Gerrard's
future is the main topic of conversation.

I can understand why supporters are getting a bit sick of hearing about it.

The club should have been allowed to celebrate a momentous win over
Olympiakos last week - and the captain's brilliant goal which secured it -
but instead all I read about was whether Stevie is staying or not.

I think we all sympathise with his comments. Everyone wants Liverpool to be
competing for the title.

But, speaking from my own experience, I think Steven still needs to learn a
bit about how reporters operate.

It's obvious he was asked certain questions about his future last week
which, in retrospect, didn't need to be answered on that particular day.

Stevie was too honest for his own good. Sometimes straight-batting a
difficult question is the right response. There's no way Stevie intended
those comments to be timed in the way they were.

I can understand the argument for speaking your mind, but I'm sure he
recognises he was lured into saying things at the wrong time. I think he
was caught on the hop a little bit and ended up saying too much.

He scored a fantastic goal against Olympiakos, but a few days later people
were still talking about the Press conference the day before. I think
that's a shame for him.

There's no need for him to put so much pressure on himself. He has enough
on his plate worrying about maintaining his own brilliant performances
without trying to sort out all the off- field problems too.

Kirkland needed good run

IT'S a shame for Chris Kirkland that he suffered a back injury after the
derby defeat

Goalkeepers are the last players you want to be changing regularly. You
have to make your mind up as a manager who's your number one and stick to it.

He wasn't the only one at fault for the goal on Saturday. There were errors
in the build-up.

To build up his confidence he needed to get straight back into action with
a few clean sheets. Unfortunately he'll have to wait to prove himself again.

Reds should rise above

I WON'T be betting against Liverpool finishing above Everton this May,
despite the result at the weekend.

Benitez's side has four of their next five league games at Anfield. Given
the impressive home form, this has to be seen as an ideal opportunity to
finally get some momentum.

I see Liverpool as a side capable of winning four of their next five games,
and it's not beyond the realms of possibility Everton will endure a run
where they lose four out of five at some point during the season.

Let's see what the league table looks like then.

That 12 point gap may look huge today, but things can change very quickly.
I hope it gets cut by three points tonight.

Liverpool have been too hot and cold this season. No-one has been unhappy
after home fixtures, but the away form is a concern.

The Christmas period is always a perfect chance to transform the look of
the league table.



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