Warnock happy to stay put and fight

Warnock happy to stay put and fight

Mar 30 2006

By Ian Doyle Daily Post Staff

STEPHEN WARNOCK has vowed he will not give up his fight to become a regular with Liverpool.

The 24-year-old has made 27 appearances for Rafael Benitez's side this season, but has often been rotated with John Arne Riise and Djimi Traore at left-back.

Benitez is poised to further bolster his options in that position during the summer with the expected arrival of Valencia's Brazil international full-back Fabio Aurelio.

But Warnock, who has been rumoured with a move away from Anfield, will not shirk the challenge of competing for his place in the starting lineup.

"This club is always going to sign players and there's always going to be competition here," said the defender.. "Last summer we signed Bolo Zenden and the players on the left knew he was another player we'd have to compete with.

"If another left-back comes in during the summer and it means I have to raise my game and do my best, then that's fine.

"I'm sure John Arne Riise, Djimi Traore and Harry Kewell are thinking the same as well because I think Aurelio can also play in the mid-field.

"If his arrival brings the best out of every player down that left side then it can only benefit us."

Warnock made 30 appearances last season, and while he is likely to better that total during this campaign, he has rarely been given an extended run in the side.

And he admitted: "When I started the season in the side I really thought I could cement my place and make it my own. I am disappointed I haven't played more but the manager has his options and that's what he chooses to do.

"I was in the team at the beginning of the season which was great and things were going really well. I was called into the England squad but then I fell out of the team and squad a bit.

"I got back in again and was then out again. It's been that sort of a stop-start season and so a bit frustrating for me.

"The manager always says players will only play a certain amount of games, some will be used in 20, others in 30 and so on. That's the way he plays things and that's fine so long as you know it's going to happen."

Of speculation of a move away from Anfield, Warnock added: "If it comes to the point where they say to me 'you're not good enough' then fair enough, I can hold my hands up and say I've given it my all and that's fine by me. I'll never fail for the lack of trying.

"But I'm loving life here and I want to stay for as long as possible."

One of those challenging for a place on the left-hand side, Boudewijn Zenden, has lost his battle to play again this season.

The Holland international was hopeful of making a comeback before May despite being initially ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing cruciate knee ligament surgery in November. But Liverpool have now opted against rushing back the 30-year-old, whose rehabilitation continues to progress well with the player back running at Melwood.

Meanwhile, Liverpool have announced their first pre-season friendly of the summer against Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road on Saturday, July 22.

* LIVERPOOL'S Premiership visit to West Ham United has been rearranged for Wednesday, April 26 (kick-off 7.45pm). It was originally scheduled for Saturday, April 22, but both sides will be in FA Cup semi-final action that weekend.