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Posts Tagged ‘past’

• ‘I’ll be glad to see the back of 2011′
• Latest absence had been ‘absolute torture’

The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, has admitted he will be glad to see the end of a year which has seen him sidelined with injuries for long periods.

Last season ended prematurely in March because of a groin problem which required surgery and his comeback in 2011-12 was delayed by an infection.

The England midfielder eventually made a return as a substitute in the Carling Cup second-round tie at Brighton in September but after only five appearances he picked up an ankle infection in late October which kept him out for two months.

Gerrard made his second comeback of the season in the draw with Blackburn on Boxing Day and is now looking forward to 2012.

“Without doubt I’ll be glad to see the back of 2011,” Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

“It’s been tough but that’s all in the past now. We have got a massive game against Newcastle [on Friday] and we need to take care of that and finish this year on a high before we start thinking about next year.

“But I’m looking forward to 2012. There’s still so much to play for this season. If I can just get a bit of luck and stay fit hopefully I can really enjoy the final five months of the season.”

Gerrard said his latest lay-off had been “absolute torture”.

“It’s just great to be back involved again,” he added. When the surgeon said I would miss another eight weeks it took me weeks to get over the news. It was a freak injury and coming so soon after being out for so long with my groin it’s been absolute torture.

“I’ve just had to work so hard to get back again and now I’m looking forward to playing games. There have been a lot of lonely days in the gym this year when you struggle to motivate yourself.

“I have worked my socks off over the past eight weeks and I feel really good. I’m feeling in great condition and all I need now is minutes under my belt to get the sharpness back.”

Steven GerrardLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

Arsène Wenger thinks that Arsenal have exceeded many people’s expectations simply by remaining in the top four, but the larger truth is that they could easily be competing hard for the title if it were not for some very avoidable lapses, which include three defeats at home. This weekend, victory over Liverpool would take them to within four points of leaders Manchester United, who have a game to come at the Emirates. Liverpool possess in Andy Carroll exactly the sort of centre-forward who could cause havoc in Arsenal’s defence. Kevin McCarra

Venue Emirates StadiumTickets Sold out

Last season Arsenal 1 Liverpool 0

Referee A Marriner

This season’s matches 22 Y73, R3, 3.45 cards per game

Odds Arsenal 4-5 Liverpool 4-1 Draw 5-2

Arsenal

Subs from Almunia, Lehmann, Diaby, Rosicky, Walcott, Denílson, Ramsey, Djourou, Eboué, Chamakh, Bendtner

Doubtful Almunia (ankle), Denílson (toe), Djourou (shoulder), Ramsey (groin), Sagna (knee), Song (knee), Szczesny (finger)

Injured Vermaelen (achilles, May), Fabianski (shoulder, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide WDDDWW

Disciplinary record Y53 R6

Leading scorer Van Persie 12

Liverpool

Subs from Gulacsi, Poulsen, Kyrgiakos, Rodríguez, Cole, Ngog, Jovanovic, Hansen, Wilson, Shelvey, Robinson

Doubtful None

Injured Johnson (hamstring, 23 Apr), Kelly (hamstring, May), Agger (knee, Aug), Gerrard (groin, Aug)

Suspended None

Form guide WLWWLD

Disciplinary record Y52 R2

Leading scorer Carroll 13

Match pointers

• Arsenal have taken just eight points from their games against the current top six, fewer than any of their rivals

• Liverpool have won only one of their last 10 Premier League games against Arsenal and none of the past seven, though five of those have ended in draws

• Robin van Persie has scored 20 goals in his past 21 Premier League starts

• Liverpool have lost five of their last six league fixtures in London

• There have been more hat-tricks in this fixture than any other in Premier League history

Premier LeagueArsenalLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

We take a look back over the past 7 years at the all-English clashes in the Champions League knock-out stages