Gerrard ready to turn to Morelos for Dutch courage
HIS questionable attitude amid interest from French suitors Lille and lack of both fitness and form up front prompted Steven Gerrard to drop Alfredo Morelos from his squad entirely last month.
But the Rangers manager will look to a man who broke an all-time UEFA club competition scoring record last season by netting 14 times before Christmas to help his side negotiate a treacherous one-off Europa League qualifier in the Netherlands tonight.
Willem II may not be as famous a name as Legia Warsaw, Young Boys, Porto or Feyenoord – who Morelos was on target against during a remarkable run to the last 16 of the competition in the 2019/20 campaign.
The Tilburg club, though, promise to be every bit as difficult to overcome in an away encounter the visitors must win outright if they are to go through face Galatasaray or Hajduk Split in the play-off next week.
Gerrard is hoping the return to the Europa League will, despite the fact there will once again be no fans in attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic, bring out the very best in his mercurial striker.
“I think Alfredo has been excellent in this competition for us so far,” he said. “We know he is a real threat. As a team, we have to supply him with the right service. But he is definitely capable of playing well at this level because he has done it numerous times.
“He is really excited about playing in Europe. He knows for himself that he has to perform if he is selected to play at this level. He knows there are a lot of eyes on him. There is a big demand from myself, the coaching staff and his team mates because we put a lot of responsibility on him.”
Gerrard oversaw, due in no small part to the brilliance of the Colombian in the final third, some outstanding results on the road in Europe last season. Rangers travelled to Denmark, Portugal and the Netherlands and picked up draws and victories. He believes exactly the same level of performance will be required in the Koning Willem II Stadium for them to prevail once more.
“I have to give credit to players,” he said. “Every challenge we have faced under pressure in Europe, home or away, the players seem to bring a laser-focus.
“There is almost a touch of fear about them, in that they know what they have to give and bring to the table. Because with some of the teams we have faced, if you don’t bring that A game there is a real chance of being embarrassed at this level.”
The former Liverpool and England midfielder understands what an important role the legions of Rangers supporters who followed them overseas have played in those successes. He admitted that not having any fans cheering them on tonight would be detrimental to their chances.
He is definitely capable of playing well at this level