Steven Gerrard has been backed to continue inspiring club and country for years to come as he stands on the brink of another remarkable landmark. Gerrard could score his 100th Premier League goal when Liverpool resume their top-four challenge at Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon. The 33-year-old registered his 99th strike in the 3-1 home win over Crystal Palace a fortnight ago, becoming the first Liverpool player to net in 15 consecutive seasons. He subsequently skippered England to World Cup finals qualification and scored the clinching second goal in the decisive 2-0 win over Poland at Wembley on Tuesday night. And Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes it underlines his captain is showing no signs of letting up despite approaching the veteran stage of his career. “A lot of the goals you remember Steven scoring are from the big games,” said Rodgers. “He is a big player, and the big players score the big goals and make the big contributions in the big games. “That is what determines a great player. That is what Steven Gerrard is. “He is at the stage in his life where everybody looks at him as the leader, captain and inspiration, but I always remind people you can’t forget he is a world-class player. “For that, Jack Wilshere will learn from him. The boys in the squad will learn from him. “Steven still has a lot to contribute and he will have well over 100 Premier League goals by the time he finishes. “He’s a remarkable man, a remarkable captain. England should be to honoured to have someone like that on and off the pitch. “He works so hard, he’s so professional, he’s still got a number of years in him.” Rodgers highlighted Gerrard’s goal on Tuesday –the Liverpool man producing a trademark burst into the box and bustling beyond a defender before forcing the ball beyond Wojciech Szczesny – as an example of his continued desire to excel. “That’s what marks him out,” said the Northern Irishman. “People may have been nervy at 1-0 and he still drives the team on and has that fitness and quality. “He’s a still world-class player, a big talent, you saw with the goal, breaking forward with power and pace and just when it looked like the ball was getting away form him just got that great finish. “He’s probably the best player I have ever worked with. I have been fortunate to work with top world-class players at Chelsea, some great technicians at Swansea. “Steven is a wonderful ambassador for England. He always thinks of others. He doesn’t say a great deal but when he does, the senior players around and the younger players, all of them listen.” Despite having figured in every minute of Liverpool’s season and all bar 31 minutes of England’s five matches since the summer, Gerrard is expected to lead his team out at St James’ Park on Saturday. “I have no worries about him for this weekend,” added Rodgers. “Earlier this season he played extra time against Notts County and then a few days later was brilliant against Manchester United and put in his highest physical exertion into a game this season. “He may have played in midweek but I’m sure he will be flying for Newcastle.” (Liverpool Daily Post)
Posted on: Thu, 17 Oct 2013 22:18:14 +0000
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