Chelsea boss Avram Grant has hailed Steven Gerrard as his ‘favourite player’ ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final clash with Liverpool, sparking speculation of a possible summer swoop for the Reds attacker.
The Liverpool captain missed yesterday’s 2-0 win at Fulham and may be forced to sit out the first leg at Anfield due to a neck injury sustained in training. Reds boss Rafa Benitez admitted: "I was talking with the physios today and it is still too early."
If Gerrard is ruled out it will be a huge blow to the Merseyside giants. However, one must be wary of Benitez’s word on the matter, given the uncertainty of Gerrard’s availability would give Grant a considerable tactical headache – one which he would not have if Gerrard was a Blue.
Jose Mourinho attempted to sign Gerrard to Stamford Bridge for ₤32 million in 2005, but the boy from Huyton stayed with his hometown club in the hope of replicating their European success in the Premier League – which has not been forthcoming thus far, leaving him frustrated.
Nonetheless, Gerrard has been in fine form this term, having developed a dynamic and prolific attacking partnership with Spanish striker Fernando Torres. And with Chelsea seeking to give their squad a makeover in the summer, the Liverpudlian is well and truly on Grant’s radar.
Favourite
"A great player and a great person, for me the player of the year in England and maybe in Europe because of the influence he has on the team,” Grant said of Gerrard.
"He is a nice guy, a positive guy and he is an example for many people. Unfortunately he plays against me not with me, but he is still my favourite player.
"I'm not surprised about him playing up with [Fernando] Torres. In that position he probably feels more free.
"He has the quality to play in any position. But he is not my player. If you can bring him to me, I will be happy!"
Positive
This will be the third time in four years that Chelsea have faced Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals, the Blues having tasted defeat on the previous two occasions as the Reds earned final berths against AC Milan in 2005 and 2007.
With Liverpool’s higher-ups locked in a fierce and messy battle for executive control of the club, and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich preparing a summer overhaul that could include staff as well as players, Grant and Benitez may both be relying on passage through to Moscow to secure their jobs.
And while Grant is positive his team can defeat Liverpool over two legs, he acknowledges that Benitez’s record in Europe gives him the edge heading into the first leg at Anfield.
"I think the results show what a good coach he is in Europe," said the Israeli. “He beat Chelsea two times when he was 20 points behind in the League, and one time in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
"He knows how to play against big teams. I like him as a person and as a manager, but we will give him a battle this time.
"We know the qualities of Liverpool, they know the qualities of us. I don't think there will be surprises but I have a good feeling about it, I'm always positive."
Freedom
‘Liverpool versus Chelsea’ has earned a reputation for uninspiring football, and recent encounters have too often proved to be tight, Teutonic affairs with rarely more than a single goal scored.
But Grant is keen to avoid a tactical stalemate and take the game to the Reds at Anfield, insisting he wants to let his players express themselves on the pitch.
"First we need to score one goal away, that is the target at this level," he said. "The last games [between Chelsea and Liverpool] were too tactical.
"Football needs to be tactical, but not too tactical. You need the freedom to play.
"So I am trying with my team to give them the freedom to think with responsibility."
Mike Maguire (goal.com)
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