Gerrard: fans will grow to love Fernando

By J Wade
January 27 2005

Morientes has been on Merseyside for just a few weeks but has already impressed his captain, manager and Liverpool fans. Gerrard is especially impressed with the Spanish striker and believes he has what it takes to be a Premiership striker to scare defences.

"I think Fernando can help me with his link-up play and, more importantly, the team in general," said Gerrard."
 
"Considering he hasn't played much football since the Champions League final with Monaco last season, I think he has done well."
 
"I roomed with him at Watford so I'm getting to know him. He is quite quiet really, no airs or graces about him."
 
"We have got him involved with the card schools and the lads will be going out for a meal with him, Mauricio Pellegrino and Scott Carson. The lads are brilliant for that. He'll have no trouble settling here." 
 
"No disrespect to Neil Mellor or Sinama Pongolle, but as soon as we lost Djibril Cisse we needed someone proven at this level. If you could name the players you would have wanted to buy then Fernando would have been up there."
 
"You can see how good he is by the little things he does. It might just be a pass or a clever run. I think the fans will grow to love him."
 
He added: "What really impresses me is that he has won all these medals but he doesn't play for himself."
 
"He is brave and works hard for the team. He was chasing back in the final minutes against Watford trying to win the ball."
 
"When you consider his goals record, I think it is only a matter of time before he clicks."
 
"He's quality and not even fully fit yet."