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Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson believes the club cannot continue to rely on captain Steven Gerrard
Over-dependence on skipper and Fernando Torres not an option for Hodgson
5 Nov 2010 15:04:00
By Alex Richards
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has told his side that they need to step up to the plate themselves, and cannot rely on skipper Steven Gerrard to drag them out of trouble.
The midfielder produced an impressive 45 minute spell on Thursday night, as he scored a second-half hat-trick, taking him to 10 goals for the season, to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win in the sides Europa League clash with Napoli.
Gerrard's performance secured Liverpool a third successive victory before the visit of champions Chelsea on Sunday, and while Hodgson would be more than happy with another stand-out performance from his captain, the former Fulham boss wants Liverpool to become more than a one-man team.
"I want every player to step up to the plate and do not want us to be totally dependent on Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres," said Hodgson.
"I want us to be dependent on the players who have been given the Liverpool shirt and given contracts at this big club.
Hodgson also praised the club's recent performances citing an improved tactical awareness and will to win whilst admitting that the side need to be more clinical in front of goal.
"I've enjoyed one or two performances recently because I can identify more with the shape of the team, the work-rate and the effort and energy we are putting into games," the Liverpool boss added.
"If we sharpen up on the technical aspects of our game and we don't miss quite so many clear-cut goal chances and we start to cross the ball a little bit better when we get into good positions I'll be happier still.
"But with the players and quality I have at the club I know that will come.
"These things are affected by confidence and we had such a bad start to the season it is going to take a while to pull ourselves out of the mire but at least we are trying hard to get out of it."
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The midfielder produced an impressive 45 minute spell on Thursday night, as he scored a second-half hat-trick, taking him to 10 goals for the season, to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win in the sides Europa League clash with Napoli.
Gerrard's performance secured Liverpool a third successive victory before the visit of champions Chelsea on Sunday, and while Hodgson would be more than happy with another stand-out performance from his captain, the former Fulham boss wants Liverpool to become more than a one-man team.
"I want every player to step up to the plate and do not want us to be totally dependent on Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres," said Hodgson.
"I want us to be dependent on the players who have been given the Liverpool shirt and given contracts at this big club.
Hodgson also praised the club's recent performances citing an improved tactical awareness and will to win whilst admitting that the side need to be more clinical in front of goal.
"I've enjoyed one or two performances recently because I can identify more with the shape of the team, the work-rate and the effort and energy we are putting into games," the Liverpool boss added.
"If we sharpen up on the technical aspects of our game and we don't miss quite so many clear-cut goal chances and we start to cross the ball a little bit better when we get into good positions I'll be happier still.
"But with the players and quality I have at the club I know that will come.
"These things are affected by confidence and we had such a bad start to the season it is going to take a while to pull ourselves out of the mire but at least we are trying hard to get out of it."
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