|
|
'Steven Gerrard can return Liverpool to summit of English football before he retires' - Reds old boy Glenn Hysen
Ex-Anfield defender says the prospect of never winning the Premier League title makes him sad for Gerrard and team-mate Jamie Carragher, but he is buoyed by club's upward mobility
21 Jan 2012 08:28:00
Getty Images
EXCLUSIVE
By Rob Stewart
Former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen believes Steven Gerrard can lead his old club to Premier League glory but admits the thought of the Reds' skipper and Jamie Carragher never winning the title makes him feel sorry for the long-serving pair.
Hysen was part of the last Liverpool side to win the English title back in 1990, and while he is convinced that Gerrard has what it takes to inspire the Merseyside club to their first ever Premier League title, he dreads the prospect of the team-mates never making it to the summit of the domestic game.
Liverpool are on the brink of a place in the League Cup final, but erratic home form means that Kenny Dalglish’s team are currently seventh in the Premier League – a daunting 16 points behind pacesetters Manchester City ahead of their visit to lowly Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
“Of course they can win a trophy this season but I will feel sorry for Carragher and Gerrard if they go through their whole Liverpool career without winning the league,” Hysen told Goal.com.
“They have won everything else but not the league. It is sad. But in my opinion it is possible that Steven Gerrard could lead Liverpool to the Premier League title in the next few years before he retires – definitely.
“Liverpool fans will be so happy that he has committed himself to the club for the rest of his career because he is a fabulous player. But he will need help from other players there. He can not do it on his own.”
Time seems to be running out for 33-year Carragher who has lost his first-team place due to the form of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, while the 31-year-old Gerrard has signed a new long-term contract with his hometown club that raises hopes the talismanic England international might one day celebrate a Premier League success.
Former Sweden international Hysen added: “Steven Gerrard has to be one of the best five players that has ever played for Liverpool Football Club and Jamie Carragher is one of the best defenders to have ever played for Liverpool Football Club.
“Steven is an inspirational captain and I would be so happy if he could inspire Liverpool to win the title, but it seems to be getting more and more difficult.”
Hysen is convinced that Liverpool are heading in the right direction under his former Reds team-mate and manager Dalglish, but fears that the upward mobility may not be quick enough for Carragher and Gerrard.
“They are playing like the Liverpool of old again but it is difficult when teams go to Anfield just looking for a draw,” he stressed.
“But Kenny got the team playing with a lot of heart from the moment he took over and brought Martin Kelly into the team when they played Manchester United in the FA Cup last season.
“That showed that they wanted some tough boys in the team and it has gone on from that and are capable of beating any of the top teams. They are a lot better than they were a year ago but they will still have a lot of work to do to get to the very top.
“Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have done wonderful things for the club so it makes me sad to think they might never win the Premier League but I hope they can do it.”
Follow Rob Stewart on
By Rob Stewart
Former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen believes Steven Gerrard can lead his old club to Premier League glory but admits the thought of the Reds' skipper and Jamie Carragher never winning the title makes him feel sorry for the long-serving pair.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Hysen was part of the last Liverpool side to win the English title back in 1990, and while he is convinced that Gerrard has what it takes to inspire the Merseyside club to their first ever Premier League title, he dreads the prospect of the team-mates never making it to the summit of the domestic game.
Liverpool are on the brink of a place in the League Cup final, but erratic home form means that Kenny Dalglish’s team are currently seventh in the Premier League – a daunting 16 points behind pacesetters Manchester City ahead of their visit to lowly Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
“Of course they can win a trophy this season but I will feel sorry for Carragher and Gerrard if they go through their whole Liverpool career without winning the league,” Hysen told Goal.com.
“They have won everything else but not the league. It is sad. But in my opinion it is possible that Steven Gerrard could lead Liverpool to the Premier League title in the next few years before he retires – definitely.
“Liverpool fans will be so happy that he has committed himself to the club for the rest of his career because he is a fabulous player. But he will need help from other players there. He can not do it on his own.”
Leader of the pack | Gerrard's return from injury has revitalised Liverpool
Time seems to be running out for 33-year Carragher who has lost his first-team place due to the form of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, while the 31-year-old Gerrard has signed a new long-term contract with his hometown club that raises hopes the talismanic England international might one day celebrate a Premier League success.
Former Sweden international Hysen added: “Steven Gerrard has to be one of the best five players that has ever played for Liverpool Football Club and Jamie Carragher is one of the best defenders to have ever played for Liverpool Football Club.
“Steven is an inspirational captain and I would be so happy if he could inspire Liverpool to win the title, but it seems to be getting more and more difficult.”
Hysen is convinced that Liverpool are heading in the right direction under his former Reds team-mate and manager Dalglish, but fears that the upward mobility may not be quick enough for Carragher and Gerrard.
“They are playing like the Liverpool of old again but it is difficult when teams go to Anfield just looking for a draw,” he stressed.
“But Kenny got the team playing with a lot of heart from the moment he took over and brought Martin Kelly into the team when they played Manchester United in the FA Cup last season.
“That showed that they wanted some tough boys in the team and it has gone on from that and are capable of beating any of the top teams. They are a lot better than they were a year ago but they will still have a lot of work to do to get to the very top.
“Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have done wonderful things for the club so it makes me sad to think they might never win the Premier League but I hope they can do it.”
Follow Rob Stewart on
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
In Pictures: The best and worst kits at Euro 2012
The European Championship is just around the corner and Goal.com distinguishes between the trendy and the passe at the prestigious tournament
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
