Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard has admitted being jealous of Premier League rivals’ Champions League runs.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said he missed the thrill of European competition and has been envious of Chelsea and Manchester United during the Merseyside club’s absence from the Champions League.
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Gerrard will lead Liverpool into their first Champions League game since 2009 when the team faces Bulgarian champions Ludogorets in their opening match tomorrow night.
The recently retired England international can look back fondly on his side’s forays into European competition, having beaten AC Milan in the final in 2005 to clinch the trophy.
“There has almost been a jealousy and an envy that we weren’t involved,” Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo. ”
“Watching the likes of Chelsea and Man United in it when we were finishing outside the top four was tough. I’ve been craving it.
“I’m just glad it’s finally here. It’s reward for all the hard work last season. Everyone is looking forward to hearing that music. We need to enjoy it but we’re not in it to make the numbers up. We want to do as well as we can,” he continued.
“There’s no doubt about it, we wouldn’t have got over the line in 2005 and lifted the trophy without the backing we got from the supporters.”
“My message to the supporters is that we need that kind of support going into the Champions League this year.”
“All the big trophies I’ve ever experienced winning, it’s always been because the crowd have got behind us, both at Anfield and away from home.”
“The support we got at half-time in Istanbul is the reason why Liverpool fans are the best in the world,” he finished.
The first game will be played at Anfield so it will be a great chance for the Kop to get behind the team, and with Liverpool heavy favourites to run out the victors the game should give them something to cheer about.
The fans and players will want to forget about the shock home loss against Aston Villa on the weekend, and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet knows this game is the perfect way to do that.
“It’s good for us that the next game comes so quick as we have the chance to put things right,” the Belgian keeper said. “We have to forget about this as quickly as possible and lift ourselves for the Champions League. We have to make sure we bounce back on Tuesday night.”
“Ludogorets are a bit of an unknown side for us but we have to look at ourselves. We need to make sure we improve and I’m sure we will.”