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Liverpool 2 Olympiacos 0
By Dominic King
PUBLISHED: 09:08 EST, 3 August 2013 | UPDATED: 10:30 EST, 3 August 2013
They rose to applaud him and chanted his name, eager to express their gratitude for what have been 15 remarkable years.
This might have been the latest exercise in Liverpool’s preparations for the new Barclays Premier League season but, in reality, it was all about one man; Steven Gerrard’s testimonial was always going to be a special occasion and the thunderous applause he received when marching out on to the scene of so many famous triumphs was befitting of his standing.
He had confessed before this game with Olympiakos to feeling uncomfortable about being the centre of attention, that the result for him was all important. So in that respect, the comfortable 2-0 victory over the Greek champions will have made his day.
Goals either side of half-time from Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson did not reflect the level of Liverpool’s superiority but, after five consecutive victories without a goal conceded, there was no reason to quibble. This is pre-season campaign that has gone smoothly for Rodgers.
But Gerrard was not the only figure who Anfield wanted to see and on 60 minutes, a capacity 44,362 crowd gave Luis Suarez an ovation that was there way of telling him to stay. Any thoughts that his summer of flirting with Arsenal and Real Madrid would leave a bad taste were banished in a flash.
There may be uncertainty about whether Suarez will submit a written transfer request or seek governing bodies to intervene in his contract wrangle but what is absolutely certain is the feeling Liverpool supporters have for Suarez the player.
They know those with his special qualities – like Gerrard – do not come around every year and if Liverpool are to make a decent fist of pushing for the Champions League this season, retaining Suarez’s services are imperative.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2aveFKd9O
By Dominic King
PUBLISHED: 09:08 EST, 3 August 2013 | UPDATED: 10:30 EST, 3 August 2013
They rose to applaud him and chanted his name, eager to express their gratitude for what have been 15 remarkable years.
This might have been the latest exercise in Liverpool’s preparations for the new Barclays Premier League season but, in reality, it was all about one man; Steven Gerrard’s testimonial was always going to be a special occasion and the thunderous applause he received when marching out on to the scene of so many famous triumphs was befitting of his standing.
He had confessed before this game with Olympiakos to feeling uncomfortable about being the centre of attention, that the result for him was all important. So in that respect, the comfortable 2-0 victory over the Greek champions will have made his day.
Goals either side of half-time from Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson did not reflect the level of Liverpool’s superiority but, after five consecutive victories without a goal conceded, there was no reason to quibble. This is pre-season campaign that has gone smoothly for Rodgers.
But Gerrard was not the only figure who Anfield wanted to see and on 60 minutes, a capacity 44,362 crowd gave Luis Suarez an ovation that was there way of telling him to stay. Any thoughts that his summer of flirting with Arsenal and Real Madrid would leave a bad taste were banished in a flash.
There may be uncertainty about whether Suarez will submit a written transfer request or seek governing bodies to intervene in his contract wrangle but what is absolutely certain is the feeling Liverpool supporters have for Suarez the player.
They know those with his special qualities – like Gerrard – do not come around every year and if Liverpool are to make a decent fist of pushing for the Champions League this season, retaining Suarez’s services are imperative.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...#ixzz2aveFKd9O
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