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Steven Gerrard thinks Europa League success is crucial for Liverpool's immediate future

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said a Europa League win over Sevilla in the final co...



Steven Gerrard thinks Europa L...
Soccer

Steven Gerrard thinks Europa League success is crucial for Liverpool's immediate future

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said a Europa League win over Sevilla in the final could be that start of a golden era for the club.

The final is Liverpool's first in Europe since they lost the Champions League final to AC Milan in 2007. Already this season, Liverpool lost the Captial One Cup final to Manchester City in Wembley.

Gerrard left the club last summer and is currently playing in MLS with LA Galaxy. The midfielder, writing in a column for the Daily Telegraph, said the game against Sevilla can have a massive impact on the immediate future of the club.

"There would be such a buzz around the club and the city", according to Gerrard. "The lads and supporters will already be counting down the days until pre-season and you can guarantee all the talk next August will be about what is next for Jurgen Klopp’s side - a possible title bid"

"With the calibre of player they can attract, and Champions League qualification, there will be confidence Liverpool can challenge."

Picture by: Martin Meissner / AP/Press Association Images

The 35-year-old is hopeful the team are victorious in Basel, as a loss to Sevilla could leave a "hangover" that Gerrard would expect to go into next season, despite the best wishes of the players.

"That will have an impact on the quality of players Klopp can attract, the financial rewards for the club and the morale of the squad. Despite all the positives that would be taken from getting so far, there would be a hangover. There always is when you lose a game of this magnitude, but the difference between a memorable season and one that could take a long time to get over is immense."

Gerrard also thinks that the stadium in Basel is not big enough to host the final. St Jakob-Park has regularly hosted Swiss national matches along with a Euro 2008 semi-final. The venue is expected to be a 35,000 sell-out.

"You can’t host of this importance, with such a high demand for tickets, in a 35,000 stadium. It makes no sense at all. The minimum should be 50,000 for a game of this stature. Only one of the last 20 Champions League Finals have been played with an attendance less than 50,000, and the majority hosted well over 60,000. It should be same for both competitions."

The former captain didn't lead the side in 2001, but he did lead the team to Champions League triumph in 2005. He distinctly remembers the first time lifting the trophy after the final in Dortmund.

"I’ll tell you what I remember most about the UEFA Cup. How heavy it is. It’s huge. I just hope come the final whistle I see Jordan Henderson and Jurgen Klopp lifting that beautiful trophy."

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