Paul Eaton 30 April 2008
Steven Gerrard today revealed how he has dealt with the demanding week which will define Liverpool's season - he's been watching the Tweenies with his kids.
As Liverpool prepare for their do hoặc die clash with Chelsea in the Champions League tonight, the skipper has spoken of how the days since the first leg haven't been crammed with thoughts of what went wrong in the final một phút but instead of how he can book tickets for the stage production of kids' favourite LazyTown.
Gerrard admits his younger days were spent obsessing over the fine details of the game, but since the arrivals of his two daughters he's now thêm easily able to escape the crazy demands placed on today's superstar players.
"You can drive yourself mad in football thinking about the games all the time. I used to be like that when I was younger, just thinking about the games coming up and the ones that had just gone," đã đưa ý kiến Gerrard. "It would drive me nuts because I would be consumed bởi it.
"I used to drive myself mad because I couldn't switch off but now the kids have come along there is no chance of me going into my own football world in my head because they are no interested in that. It's all Barbies and Tweenies and stuff like that.
"I'm just getting tickets for the LazyTown tour coming up - it's Spartacus they think is the hero, not me!
"In fact, they haven't got the first clue what is going on in daddy's world. They'll just about notice that daddy's on the telly sometimes, but that's it.
"It's girls' stuff and that's what I get up to when I'm not at work! It's great really because it gives me an escape, it stops me from getting too crazy about the football.
"The semi-final against Chelsea was only a week apart and it was pretty obvious I wouldn't be playing the league game in between.
"So bạn could spend the whole week obsessing about all the details but the kids keep me away from that - they keep me sane!"
Despite a relaxed attitude during the week, Gerrard will be all business tonight as he looks to inspire Liverpool to another Champions League final.
And it has come as no surprise to the skipper ahead of the games with Chelsea to once again see his name linked with a di chuyển to Stamford Bridge.
"It's true, when we play them there's always a story," he said. "But I can't see myself playing anywhere else now. While it is in my hands and it's my decision, then that decision will be to stay at Liverpool and try to fulfil my remaining ambition here.
"I have got three years left on my contract. I signed a new deal to stay here long term, and no matter what bạn hear every time we play Chelsea, I am happy here.
"I want to stay. I am enjoying my football and the development of this side.
"I can see this team getting stronger and stronger because we are a young team that is developing.
"We say this every summer, but maybe this năm is the important summer because it's the chance for us to go to the tiếp theo level."
Steven Gerrard today revealed how he has dealt with the demanding week which will define Liverpool's season - he's been watching the Tweenies with his kids.
As Liverpool prepare for their do hoặc die clash with Chelsea in the Champions League tonight, the skipper has spoken of how the days since the first leg haven't been crammed with thoughts of what went wrong in the final một phút but instead of how he can book tickets for the stage production of kids' favourite LazyTown.
Gerrard admits his younger days were spent obsessing over the fine details of the game, but since the arrivals of his two daughters he's now thêm easily able to escape the crazy demands placed on today's superstar players.
"You can drive yourself mad in football thinking about the games all the time. I used to be like that when I was younger, just thinking about the games coming up and the ones that had just gone," đã đưa ý kiến Gerrard. "It would drive me nuts because I would be consumed bởi it.
"I used to drive myself mad because I couldn't switch off but now the kids have come along there is no chance of me going into my own football world in my head because they are no interested in that. It's all Barbies and Tweenies and stuff like that.
"I'm just getting tickets for the LazyTown tour coming up - it's Spartacus they think is the hero, not me!
"In fact, they haven't got the first clue what is going on in daddy's world. They'll just about notice that daddy's on the telly sometimes, but that's it.
"It's girls' stuff and that's what I get up to when I'm not at work! It's great really because it gives me an escape, it stops me from getting too crazy about the football.
"The semi-final against Chelsea was only a week apart and it was pretty obvious I wouldn't be playing the league game in between.
"So bạn could spend the whole week obsessing about all the details but the kids keep me away from that - they keep me sane!"
Despite a relaxed attitude during the week, Gerrard will be all business tonight as he looks to inspire Liverpool to another Champions League final.
And it has come as no surprise to the skipper ahead of the games with Chelsea to once again see his name linked with a di chuyển to Stamford Bridge.
"It's true, when we play them there's always a story," he said. "But I can't see myself playing anywhere else now. While it is in my hands and it's my decision, then that decision will be to stay at Liverpool and try to fulfil my remaining ambition here.
"I have got three years left on my contract. I signed a new deal to stay here long term, and no matter what bạn hear every time we play Chelsea, I am happy here.
"I want to stay. I am enjoying my football and the development of this side.
"I can see this team getting stronger and stronger because we are a young team that is developing.
"We say this every summer, but maybe this năm is the important summer because it's the chance for us to go to the tiếp theo level."
