Gerrard vows that Liverpool will be prepared for Champions League

SKIPPER Steven Gerrard has vowed not to let Liverpool suffer the same Champions League heartbreak as Newcastle last season.

Gerrard will lead a new-look Liverpool into the Arnold Schwarzenegger stadium for the first leg of their third qualifying round tie against Austrian double winners Graz AK and he is fully aware there is £13 million riding on the outcome.

Nobody on Tyneside will want to be reminded of Newcastle’s disaster at this stage last term when they were beaten 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw with Partizan Belgrade, despite winning the first leg in Serbia.

If Liverpool fail against the unfancied Austrian team, new boss Rafael Benitez will lose £5.5 million for not reaching the group stages plus prize money and TV revenue.

Gerrard said: “What happened to Newcastle last season is a big lesson to learn for us. I am sure Newcastle went into their qualifying round games last summer expecting to come through it and maybe they underestimated the opposition.

“I can assure you that won’t happen to us. It is my job as captain of the team to make sure the boys go into it with the right attitude and mentality.

“I am certain we can come through this and reach the group stages, it is so important for the club.

“We have the ability in the squad to see us over this hurdle.”

Newcastle actually saw their Stock Market value plunge by 14% when they were knocked out and although Liverpool are not listed in the City, Benitez’ budget would be destroyed overnight.

The former Valencia boss already has to sell before he can spend with seven players leaving Anfield this summer.

El-Hadji Diouf is sure to follow this week, probably on a year loan to Malaga, while Benitez is preparing for the exit of Danny Murphy, Steve Finnan and maybe Dietmar Hamann and Milan Baros.

The Graz tie is crucial to Liverpool’s finances as the club are now unlikely to receive investment from Thailand.

Gerrard added: “It is awkward that the Champions League comes before the Premiership season has started, but we have had a good spell in the States and we have got our level of fitness back.