Gerrard ‘the future leader of Liverpool’

STEVEN GERRARD has been told he is “the future leader of the club” after his last-ditch winner on Monday kept Liverpool’s Champions League dreams alive.

The England midfielder, who admits Liverpool’s season will be a failure if they don’t clinch a top four spot, squirmed his way in from the line past two defenders to bury a priceless winner.

The low shot, which eluded the grasp of Charlton goalkeeper Dean Kiely, came in the final seconds of the Anfield clash with Charlton and sealed a vital 2-1 success.

It promoted manager Gerard Houllier to say: “Stevie was the captain at Goodison Park when he was an inspiration in the derby win over Everton on Saturday.

“And I think he performed against Charlton in a way that shows that he can be a leader in the future for this club.”

Gerrard added: “People are right in some ways to say we have under-performed this season, because this club belongs in the Champions League. It’s nice to have a trophy like the Worthington Cup.

“But the season is seen as a failure if you don’t get into the top four of the Premiership.

“My goal was a bit of hit and hope, it was getting late on in the match and the lads were very tired.

“It was 1-1 and nearly finished and it looked like Charlton were going to go away with a point.

“Fortunately I got the winner. You could tell how much it meant when you saw the fans’ reaction, they want the Champions League and so do we. It was a massive win and we showed the tremendous team spirit we have at the club.

“We’ve now got to take the confidence we are building up after six wins in seven league games into our last three games of the season, starting at West Brom on Saturday.”

Results went Liverpool’s way over the holiday weekend with Chelsea losing at Aston Villa, Everton beaten twice and Newcastle going down at Fulham before drawing with Villa.

Houllier also appreciated Dudek’s contribution as much as Gerrard’s, adding: “Jerzy made a great save which could count at the end of the season.”

Meanwhile, Houllier is giving Argentinian youngster Jonas Manuel Gutierrez the chance to earn a move to Anfield during a one week trial at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

The 20-year-old Velez Sarsfield midfielder has been linked with a £2 million summer move to Liverpool, as part of Houllier’s plans to launch a Premiership title challenge next season.