Steven Gerrard would swap 100th goal for 2 points
By Mike Dyce
Jul 13, 2013; Harrison, NJ, USA; A general view of soccer balls on the field prior to game between the New York Red Bulls and the Montreal Impact at Red Bulls Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
Liverpool came into Saturday’s game against Newcastle United near the top of the English Premier League table with 16 points. Arsenal, who sat in first on goal differential, also had 16 points. Liverpool needed the win to keep pace with Arsenal, especially considering that the Gunners are playing a relatively weak opponent, Norwich City, at home.
Liverpool wasn’t able to get the win, instead getting one point on a draw. In the game, Steven Gerrard scored his 100th Premier League goal on a penalty to tie the game in the first half. If he had the choice, he’d give that goal back if it meant two more points.
“It’s a good milestone for me and a great personal achievement,” Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“But I’d certainly swap the goal for two extra points today, that’s for sure. Points for the team and where we finish in the league are my priority; if personal milestones get crossed off along the way, then great.
“I thought Newcastle started the game a lot better and brighter than us, and probably deserved to go a goal in front.”
He understands that they’re still in a great position and it isn’t a huge slip. There is still a lot of season left.
“If someone had said to me in pre-season that we would be top of the league after this amount of games, of course I would have been really happy.
“But I’m slightly frustrated today that we couldn’t take maximum points and have top outright come the end of play.
“If we had got the win today, it would have been the perfect week. The week has gone really well from an international point of view, and getting the goal today was fantastic.
“But I always search for perfection so I’m sadly a little bit down that we haven’t taken maximum points.”
The draw is almost more heartbreaking considering that Liverpool played a man-up for the entire second half.
“The sending-off completely changed the game; we took control from there and deserved to take the three points, but we couldn’t get that final goal.
“Our attitude improved when they had the man sent off. We did everything we could to win the game. Unfortunately we have been caught out with a set-piece.
“From the sending-off we were brilliant. We played some really good stuff but, frustratingly for us, it wasn’t enough.”