Gerrard’s last Liverpool wish not straightforward at all
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Barring a footballing miracle, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard will not be granted his burning desire of landing a Premier League title for his boyhood club before his summer exit, but he has set himself two major targets.
Having agonisingly let the title slip through his legs last season, Gerrard has been quite frank about the way he wishes his swansong to go.
“I want to finish the season really strong and leave the team in the top four and hopefully go all the way in the FA Cup – that is how I want to sign off,” he said.
This is not a simple task however as Ladbrokes’ special price of 11/2 about Liverpool achieving both targets suggests.
There is no doubt the Reds have the Premier League wind in their sails having strung together an incredible dozen-game unbeaten run.
This surge has placed Brendan Rodgers’ charges in fifth, two points shy of fourth-place Manchester United, whom they play in their next Anfield league fixture.
Nevertheless, Arsenal will take some budging four points further forward and yet to be denied a Champions League berth under Arsene Wenger, which means Liverpool, United, Tottenham and potentially Southampton are arguing over a single spot.
Other than Arsenal, none of the Reds’ other rivals for fourth have cup distractions hanging over them either – unlike Liverpool who had been the FA Cup favourites.
That tag went out the window when Blackburn earned a deserved replay and even if Liverpool secure safe passage to Wembley, they’ve still got Aston Villa in the semis and almost certainly Arsenal to fend off in order to lift the trophy.
Having been passed fit to play at Swansea after a few weeks out with a hamstring injury, at least Gerrard should have some say over his own destiny in the run-in.
Liverpool are 21/10 favourites to win at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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