Gerrard focused on Carling Cup
October 26, 2011 08:10:02 UK
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool are taking the Carling Cup seriously this season even though a return to Champions League football is the club's priority.
The Reds have missed out on a place in Europe's top competition for the last two seasons after finishing seventh in the 2009-10 Premier League campaign and sixth last term.
A poor recent run has left Liverpool sixth in the table and they are 501.00 to finish in the top four, but they face Stoke City in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, a competition they are 1.11 to win.
"Bringing those European nights back to Anfield is what we all want," said Gerrard.
"At the same time it's about trophies for me and I see the FA Cup and the Carling Cup as also being very important. Because we are only involved in three competitions we have to focus on all of them.
There is no European football so you can afford to focus more on the Carling Cup.
Steven Gerrard
"There is no European football so you can afford to focus more on the Carling Cup."
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Lucas is available to Kenny Dalglish for the fourth-round game after completing his one-match suspension while Daniel Agger could start as he steps up his recuperation following injury.
Stoke, who are 9.00 to win the Britannia Stadium clash 1-0, could hand a start to Jonathan Woodgate who has missed the last three games with a calf injury.
Jermaine Pennant is struggling with a hamstring problem while Danny Higginbotham could feature after being sidelined since April with a knee injury.
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