Source: Liverpool_Echo
Steven Gerrard says Liverpool FC can rebound from Fiorentina defeat at Chelsea
STEVEN GERRARD has urged Liverpool to banish the memory of last night’s Champions League defeat to Fiorentina at Chelsea on Sunday.
The Reds’ run of six straight wins was ended as the Viola triumphed 2-0 in Group E.
Gerrard admits Rafa Benitez’s side got what deserved after falling way below their usual high standards.
And the skipper is demanding a big response in this weekend’s crunch Premier League clash in the capital.
“It was a really disappointing night,” Gerrard admitted.
“We are disappointed with our first half performance. We just didn’t turn up and were second best all over the pitch. We deserved to go in behind.
“There was a reaction in the second half – without creating many clear cut chances – but we lost the game in the first half tonight.
“We didn’t do what we usually do in Europe. We usually play with a high tempo, pass the ball well and play really well on the counter attack.
“Those things weren’t there tonight and it was all over the pitch – from front to back.
“Now we’ve got a massive game at Chelsea on Sunday.
“We have to get this result out of our system quickly and show a reaction at Stamford Bridge.”
With Lyon thrashing Debrecen 4-0, the Reds slipped to third in Group E, three points adrift of the French club and level with Fiorentina.
“It’s wide open in this group and there is a lot of football still to be played,” Gerrard added.
“It’s important now that we win our next home game against Lyon. If we win all our home games and try to pick up a couple of points in the last two away games then we will be fine.”
Fiorentina’s Montenegrin striker Stevan Jovetic was the star of the show in the Stadio Artemio Franchi and Gerrard admits the Reds will have to handle the two-goal hero a lot better when the sides meet again in December.
