Gerrard sets sights on twin peaks

Roller-coaster campaign
The Liverpool FC captain's contribution to his team's Champions League triumph in Istanbul was recognised yesterday when he was voted Most Valuable Player at the UEFA Club Football Awards. The ceremony preceded a group stage draw which pitted the title-holders against Chelsea FC, RSC Anderlecht and Real Betis Balompié in Group G – but as Gerrard prepared to step back on to the roller-coaster of the continent's top tournament, he recalled the lows as well as the highs of last season.

Inconsistency
For all the glory of 25 May and the comeback victory against AC Milan, Liverpool endured an inconsistent 2004/05 campaign. The Anfield side could only finish fifth in the English Premiership, losing 14 of 38 games. A key factor was their failure to win on the Saturday, Sunday or even Monday after a Champions League match. This accounted for seven defeats and four draws.

Tiring schedule
Thus the pressures of the Champions League. "The games after the Champions League, I admit myself, after 30 minutes, 40 minutes, you're really tired because in the Champions League you give everything," the English international midfielder said. "It does take you a while to get over the games, they're really quick and you're playing against the best teams."

Home discomfort
So while Liverpool took the plaudits in Europe, back home on Merseyside they were second best to Everton FC who, able to focus entirely on their domestic duties, claimed fourth place at their city rivals' expense. "It was very difficult to take, it hurt a lot," Gerrard admitted. "It was really disappointing not to finish in the top four and our league form was disappointing. We're upset about it and need to put it right."

Vulnerable
It was said of Liverpool's class of 2004/05 that they looked more comfortable playing in the Champions League than in the cut and thrust of Premiership, where they were particularly vulnerable on their travels. For Gerrard this was understandable, given the number of Spanish-speaking players manager Rafael Benítez introduced in his first year in charge.

Shopping trips
With Benítez's predecessor Gérard Houllier also having shopped at home for talent, in France, Gerrard conceded, "We've got a lot of foreign players who are prepared better for European football - Spanish players and French players who at the moment are more comfortable playing in Europe."

Foreign players
The 25-year-old continued: "The Premiership is very different, it's a lot more physical, and maybe foreign players take a couple of years to adapt. European football is different from the English game, players need to adapt and it takes time. Plus a lot of players were new and it's going to take time for them to settle."

Local knowledge
Which underlines the value of homegrown or local talent - in Liverpool's case, Gerrard and Jamie Carragher. "I'd like to think that the club always has local players. I'd like to think me and Jamie help the foreign players settle, talk to them about certain things that happen around the place, and help them to play well," said the skipper.

Domestic improvement
Participation in the Champions League has its benefits, of course, and Gerrard is confident Liverpool's success last term "will give us a lot of confidence domestically and I'm sure our league form will improve a lot". He also believes English football will profit from the experience national team players are gaining in the competition, especially with the FIFA World Cup in Germany looming next summer.

National pride
"England's chances at the World Cup are going to be helped by our players playing in the Champions League and doing well," he said. "Chelsea [FC] have got to two semi-finals, Arsenal [FC] have been to the quarters, and Manchester United [FC] have done well over the years. It's important that many England players are playing in the Champions League as it will definitely improve the national team."