Steven Gerrard has expressed gratitude for the reception he received from Liverpool supporters on his return to Anfield – as he outlined the plan that nearly thwarted his former side.
Mohamed Salah’s 67th-minute penalty was the difference as the Reds eked out a 1-0 win over Gerrard’s Aston Villa on Saturday.
It was the first time the Liverpool legend had been in the opposing dugout as a manager, and he was given a warm welcome before the game by home fans who also sang his name briefly in the eighth minute.
And while keen to emphasise his focus was on Villa, Gerrard admits it was an emotional afternoon.
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“When you take a job in the Premier League you are going to to have to understand you are going to have these days,” he said.
“I understand there will be emotion around it for me and my family. I tried to focus on Aston Villa and make sure that was the priority.
“I was very respectful and thankful for the reception I got, which was only natural because of the years of my life I gave to this club.”
Gerrard selected a defence-minded starting line-up with creative midfielder Emiliano Buendia and former Liverpool forward Danny Ings both on the bench.
Villa had frustrated the Reds until the goal, with Buendia and Ings then introduced as the visitors pressed hard for an equaliser.
And explaining his team’s approach, Gerrard said: “We tried to get the balance right and I thought we did a good job of trying to contain Liverpool, you can try to be too gung-ho and get hit for a scoreline which doesn't help.
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“The plan was to try to take it to the latter stages and then get more of our attacking players on the pitch like Buendia and Ings.
“I think in terms of the gameplan it wasn't the right thing to come here and pick a team which was too ambitious and bold because you have to respect the level Liverpool are playing at.”
Gerrard added: “I know more than most coming to Anfield you have to get through the first half-hour when Liverpool's energy levels are high and they are pressing you ferociously.
“We had to get to the half-hour mark and we did a decent containing job. In general play we needed to be a bit more better in possession but getting to half-time at 0-0 was the first part to the job done and then we had to get to 60-65 minutes and the penalty was a setback.
“We wanted Liverpool to become nervous and we could throw more ambition at it in the latter stages.”
