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Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is convinced that goal-happy Fernando Torres can lay Inter Milan's Champions League ambitions to rest at the San Siro Tuesday night.
The two have forged a formidable strike partnership with the potential to finally launch Liverpool's ascension up the leage tables to loftier positions but first, the pair will be eager to kill of Inter in this evening's last 16 return leg.
But Gerrard knows this is easier said than done, with the 2nd leg being played at the San Siro in front of Inter's fans.
“We will have to play as well as we have done anywhere this season now,” he warned.
He continued, “The lad who comes into their side for Materazzi will not be looking forward to his 90 minutes against Fernando.”
Inter will be withouth Marco Materazzi after his sending-off in the first leg and it remains to be seen who will be his replacement.
Torres's 25 goals in 34 matches for Liverpool and his recent white-hot form makes Liverpool's chances of reaching the last eight together with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea seem quite good.
Gerard explained, “We will be looking to hit them on the counter-attack and Torres plays that game better than anyone around.
“Not only can you stick the ball over the top and let him chase it, but he can make things happen himself like he did against Marseille earlier in the tournament, when we needed to win in France to go through to the last 16.
“He roasted Materazzi in the first-leg. He (Materazzi) might think he was hard-done-by to be sent-off but he could have been booked for a bad tackle before he had one yellow, never mind the second one.
“It shows how easy Torres' pace and strength unsettled a World Cup winner.”
'He's brilliant, fantastic. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker anywhere,' said the Reds skipper.
'He has been massive for us and gives us so many different options up front. He's banging them in and always looks a threat every time he plays.
'You can play him on his own or with a partner and he just adapts perfectly.
'He's certainly made life tough for the foreign boys coming to England now. When you look at the impact he has made in just seven months here, it means that no-one now can make excuses about needing time to settle.
'I feel England suits him even better than Spain. He suits the constant flow and the rough and tumble of the Premier League better than the stop-start technical La Liga.
'He is just a kid really in football terms, and he is going to get better and better. That is a frightening thought, but not for us. It's frightening for the defences he is going to be coming up against.'
Gerrard believes Liverpool can survive in the cauldron of an 80,000-packed stadium.
He says: 'We are facing another big test. We did the job in the first leg and did it brilliantly but we have qualified for nothing yet.
'The last eight is 90 minutes away and we might have to play better than we did in the first match. They are going to fly out at us from the first whistle but we can defend all night if we have to.
'But we also believe we will worry the hell out of them. They will be reluctant to over-commit against us because they got nothing at Anfield.
'They got no change from our defence, no possession and no time to settle. We will be going for them again because we know we can score there and kill off the tie.'
Gerrard added: 'I will relish playing in the San Siro, I've never done it before and it's another one off my list.
'Fans like going to famous grounds to watch us, and as a player I want to play in the cathedrals around Europe. I've played in the Nou Camp and a lot of famous stadiums around the world, but this is a new one for a few of us.
'If we get the attitude right, take our chances and believe in ourselves it will be another night to remember.'
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
