Gerrard: Fortune turning in our favour

DERBY protocol dictates form books should be hitting the pavement throughout Merseyside this morning. Steven Gerrard, though, would be forgiven for wanting to jettison a record of the entire season so far.

A campaign that started with hopes of another championship challenge has degenerated amid all-too-familiar problems both on and off the field.

For Gerrard, there has been the added frustration of a clutch of niggling injuries that have prevented him from producing his consistent best as Liverpool have stumbled from one setback to another.

However, the fortunes of both player and team may now be on the turn.

Rafael Benitez's side are enjoying a six-game unbeaten Premier League run, while Gerrard posted a performance in the 2-0 win over Bolton last Saturday that was enough to prompt Trotters midfielder Fabrice Muamba to declare him the toughest opponent in the top flight.

The Anfield skipper has only recently returned from a hamstring problem having been hampered for much of the previous two months by a groin complaint aggravated while on international duty with England in October.

And while confident his fitness problems are now firmly behind him, Gerrard admits his own desperation to help Liverpool through their difficult autumn perhaps clouded his judgement.

"My fitness is very good now," he says. "I've trained well since I came back from the last injury. I was really happy with my performance against Bolton. I feel as though I can still get better, but going into the derby I'm feeling much better.

"It hasn't been a case of holding back. I've never held back. My problem has been that sometimes I've been pushed back too early. I've sometimes played games where the manager has wanted me to play, or I've wanted to come back.

"I've played games this season when I've not been fit and carrying niggles. All I want to do is get out there. Maybe that's a fault of my own, not to be strong enough to say I've not been ready.

"But it's been frustrating. If everyone had been flying and all in top form, maybe I wouldn't have pushed myself so much. But we've suffered.

"Sometimes I've been asked to go through the pain barrier and maybe have no training. It's happened to a lot of players, we've been unfortunate this season. But it's meant a lot have had to push themselves, and it's good to see."

It's that attitude that has given Liverpool renewed hope since Christmas despite an injury list that continues to deprive Benitez of the creative flair of Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson.

Albert Riera and Daniel Agger, along with Gerrard, have also spent spells on the sidelines while £20m Alberto Aquilani has had to contend with his own fitness concerns while acclimatising to the English game in an underachieving team.

And Gerrard says: "As a football player, the very least you can show is spirit, character and effort. Form can be temporary, you aren't always on top form and when you aren't it is still important to show those qualities. It can help your form come around.

"We've been doing that, we've all rolled our sleeves up and fought for each other, and in the last six games things have turned around."

Despite the improvement in results, Liverpool continue to be heavily censured for their style of play, particularly in comparison to their cavalier approach towards the end of last season.

Gerrard, though, has no complaints. "I don't think the criticism we've had has been too harsh," he says. "We can't look for excuses. When the team was flying last season, we revelled in the plaudits. But when you are not performing you have to take the criticism on board.

"The good thing is that the players aren't feeling sorry for themselves. We've reacted and are now turning the corner.

"I've been very pleased with how the team has responded over the last six games. The least we can do is show good attitude character and spirit."

While goals have proven hard to come by for Liverpool - just 27 in their last 25 games - at least the defence has rediscovered its mean streak, with five clean sheets in the last six Premier League games.

"For a team to start playing well, the first thing that needs to be sorted is the defence," says Gerrard. "You can be a bit more adventurous going forward after that.

"The team has been a lot more solid. It's stopped us being a little bit more ambitious, but I understand where the manager is coming from.

"Those clean sheets can help us get results and build more confidence."

Such belief will be key when Liverpool entertain Everton in today's 213th Merseyside derby. With a trip to Arsenal on Wednesday, it is an important week for the Reds and Gerrard admits the value of victory this afternoon will be greater than most.

"We've got to try and treat this as just another game," he says. "But we know that the confidence you can get from winning a Merseyside derby is massive. It can be another sign we are on the right path.

"When we beat Everton at Goodison earlier this season it hurt them very much, and it's helped them to turn their season around. They've gone on a fantastic run and have done really well.

"We know it will be a close game but we believe that our fans can give us an advantage. Our confidence is improving and we're ready."

With near rivals Tottenham and Aston Villa facing off later today, Liverpool could end the day back in a Champions League qualification berth.

And Gerrard says: "Fourth place is the realistic target given what has happened this season. We have to keep fighting for the top four, it's important financially and every player wants to be involved in the Champions League.

"We'll try and bring the Europa League back, it's the only trophy we can win now. We won't give up on a higher place in the Premier League but we've got to be realistic - we're aiming for a Champions League place.

"It'll take more than simple character but the performances of late have shown we have a base in place now. What you'll hopefully see in the coming weeks in the team playing better football and getting more results."

For Gerrard, today is the perfect stage to build on that platform.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.