Source: Team_Talk
Gerrard pleased by Reds return
iverpool captain Steven Gerrard is delighted to have made his return against Manchester United on Saturday and feels his side deserved to win.[LNB] Six months on the sidelines after a groin operation in March was not an enjoyable time for Gerrard.[LNB]So, after three substitute appearances totalling just under an hour, he made the most of his first start since his surgery with a goal.[LNB]A man-of-the-match performance would have been capped had his 68th-minute free-kick through the gap in the wall, kindly provided by Ryan Giggs, proved to be the winner.[LNB]However, Javier Hernandez - surprisingly left on the bench along with Wayne Rooney - denied Gerrard a triumphant return to his rightful place at the heart of the side with a close-range header nine minutes from time.[LNB]But nevertheless, the Huyton-born midfielder was glad to be back.[LNB]"I didn't realise what I had until it was taken away from me for so long," said Gerrard.[LNB]"So I am delighted to be back and be able to experience the emotion of big games again.[LNB]"It has been a frustrating six months watching the lads from the stands and I much prefer to be out there having an impact on the game.[LNB]"It would have been the perfect day if my goal had been the winner but it wasn't to be."[LNB]An uninspiring first half was soon forgotten after the break as both sides picked up the tempo.[LNB]Liverpool gained the upper hand when Charlie Adam was tripped by Rio Ferdinand on the edge of the penalty area - which could easily have earned the United defender a second yellow card - and Gerrard clipped a low shot through the wall and past David de Gea.[LNB]But defensive lapses this season have cost Kenny Dalglish's side, who have kept only two clean sheets in the Premier League, and when Martin Skrtel slipped defending a corner, Hernandez nodded in Danny Welbeck's flick-on during United's best spell of the game.[LNB]Back came the hosts only to be denied by two brilliants saves by De Gea, turning aside Dirk Kuyt's shot from Stewart Downing's cross before acrobatically getting a hand to substitute Jordan Henderson's dipping volley.[LNB]Dalglish admitted his players were disappointed not to have extended their winning run over their arch-rivals at Anfield to four games, and Gerrard agreed.[LNB]"I don't know whether frustration is the right word but the lads were a little bit disappointed that we didn't hang on after we took the lead," said the England midfielder.[LNB]"With the chances we created over 90 minutes I think we deserved to just sneak the three points.[LNB]"I was really pleased with the lads how they played.[LNB]"Both sides showed each other too much respect in the first half and that was maybe why it was a bit flat.[LNB]"But in the second half we came out really positive and we kept pushing for that winner."[LNB]With a fully-fit squad, and Gerrard back in the starting line-up, Liverpool are at their strongest for well over a year.[LNB]And the captain said that gives them confidence.[LNB]"You sum a side up by how strong your bench is," he added.[LNB]"If you look at our bench against United, we had Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson - that goes to show how much stronger we've got over the last couple of years.[LNB]"It is a really big positive when you know you have got big subs coming on, and we are really happy with how things are going at the moment."[LNB]While Gerrard is impressed by the depth of the squad, his manager still expects great things from one of the club's greatest players.[LNB]"He is a really integral part of the club and will be for years to come," said Dalglish.[LNB]"He is etched in the history of the club and will hopefully have a few more chapters to write yet."
