Brendan Rodgers hoping for big contribution from Steven Gerrard in the FA Cup
Posted Saturday, April 18, 2015 by Givemesport.com
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has backed Steven Gerrard to produce a special performance in this weekend's FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Wembley, according to the Daily Star.
Rodgers, speaking in his press conference ahead of the cup tie, said: "He's [Gerrard] definitely ready. We had a behind closed doors game here on Monday with a few of the others who have been out.
"He's fine and the most important thing is his availability. He's a special footballer, and whether he plays or not he will be a very important member of the squad.
"He knows Wembley very well and is someone who has a special quality."
WEMBLEY MEMORIES
The Northern Irish tactician has positive memories of Wembley himself after he won promotion to the Premier League with Swansea in 2011, a game which he describes as the biggest he's ever managed: "Being there with Swansea was great and something I will always say will be my biggest game.
"There's more prestigious games in football, more significant ones in terms of trophies, but in terms of life and projecting your career that's the biggest of mine and always will be.
'THE GERRARD FINAL'
Liverpool can take comfort in that Gerrard is not one to shy from cup heroics. In the 2006 FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium against West Ham, the tenacious midfielder scored two goals. One came in the 91st minute from 40 yards out to bring the game into extra tie at 3-3. Liverpool went on to lift the trophy after beating the Hammers 3-1 on penalties.
Rodgers will be hoping his captain can produce a similar effort in this years competition.
"Throughout his time he has been incredible who in the main has always produced big moments, big goals and big contributions in the big games," Rodgers said.
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