Gerrard: We showed too much respect
Sep 19 2005
By Simon Stone Daily Post Correspondent
STEVEN GERRARD acknowledged Liverpool gave Manchester United too much space to play in the first half of yesterday's draw between the two Premiership rivals.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side had the better of the first half and although the Reds improved after the turnaround it ended goalless.
Gerrard said afterwards: "Maybe we showed them a little bit too much respect in the first half.
"But if you take too many chances and push men forward they (United) are that good on the counterattack they can nick it 1-0.
"I think they will be happy to come to Anfield and get a point."
The England midfielder added: "I think it's a fair result. They controlled the first half and we pushed more in the second half without creating any clear-cut chances."
Gerrard himself had the best chance of the game with a long-range effort which was saved by Edwin van der Sar.
And he continued: "I caught it well and saw it moving but it has to be right in the corner to beat Van der Sar - he is a world-clbutt goalie.
"You have to hit it perfectly to beat him.
"I thought we started the second half a lot better and were the better side in the second half."
Liverpool have now netted just once in four league games, although they have yet to concede a goal.
Gerrard said: "We'll keep working on the training ground and hopefully the goals will come."
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Meanwhile Roy Keane limped out of Manchester United's Barclays Premiership campaign for two months as the Red Devils' title challenge suffered a double blow at Anfield.
The two points lost in a largely drab 0-0 draw with Liverpool leave Sir Alex Ferguson's men seven adrift of seemingly unstoppable Chelsea.
But the absence of Ferguson's talisman until mid-November is likely to have an even more shuddering impact on the Old Trafford dressing room.
United officials confirmed Keane broke his foot in a late challenge with Luis Garcia, the same injury suffered by David Beckham, Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard over the past few years.
If the eventual spell on the sidelines is as lengthy as the initial prognosis indicates, it means the influential Irishman will miss United's next six league outings, including the key confrontation with Jose Mourinho's men on November 6.
It will also keep him out of the Champions League encounter with Benfica in a fortnight, plus the following doubleheader with Lille, as well as his country's key World Cup qualifier with France next month.
As his absence could also include the World Cup qualifying dates in November, it is possible that the 34-year-old could have played for the Republic for the last time.
