Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool’s galaxy of young talent to seize their chance the right way – through sheer determination as well as ability.
Speaking exclusively to the new Liverpool FC magazine, the Reds captain recalls his own days as a youngster alongside Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen.
"I see or hear some young lads talking about being patient or waiting for their chance," he says. "It sounds like they feel they need a 15-minute cameo in a first-team game to prove what they can do. That's not what it's about. It's about proving yourself every day in training.
"We train from 10am until 1pm or 2pm. In that time you have to show you don't want to wait around. Their attitude should be: it doesn't matter how old I am, I'm good enough. They don't want to be getting to September or October and wondering why they didn't get a chance in a game. Do it now is my message to them.
"They have to go in every day and prove to the manager that they are better than those players who are in the team. Myself and Jamie and Michael didn't wait around on the fringes of the squad hoping we'd be selected some day. We showed on the training pitch that we would do whatever it took to make the boss put us in.
"We showed the mental strength required. We proved that we were as good as, if not better than, those who had been ahead of us. That's what these lads need to do."
The full interview appears in the launch issue of the all-new monthly Liverpool FC magazine, out 2 August with a free CD of Steven's greatest goals. Inside you'll also find manager Brendan Rodgers answering questions from the fans, Jamie Carragher taking a stroll on Crosby Beach, and Lucas describing his inspirational road to recovery.
It's not to be missed, and details about how to subscribe can be found by clicking here>>
You can also call the telephone hotline on 08700 20 20 20.
Author: Liverpool FC magazine
Tagged:
gerrard
, magazine
, steven gerrard
Comments
Submit your views in the box below. Alternatively, you can debate these issues with fellow fans on our Message Boards or blog about them on The Kop
The views expressed here are not those of Liverpool Football Club (read more)
You must be over thirteen years of age to post a commment
You must have set a nickname to post a comment.
Click here to set your nickname.
Sorry, comments are closed for this article.
Sorry, new comments are closed for this article.
You must accept the Terms & Conditions before posting a comment
29th Jul 2012 9:47