by Kenny Kan » Sun Jun 12, 2011 11:03 am
Steven Gerrard has vowed to return stronger than ever at Anfield after an injury-plagued end to last season.
The Liverpool skipper missed large parts of the last campaign, with a groin injury the main cause and an issue that kept him out after March.
A successful operation has since followed, and Gerrard is now eight weeks into his recovery and still confident that he can make a telling impact for the Reds side on his return. The England international is raring to get back on the pitch when Kenny Dalglish's side return for pre-season in July.
"I have confidence in what I can do. I am going to be in the best condition physically going into this season that I have been for the last 10 years," Gerrard told the Daily Express.
"I am working doubly hard on my body, on my core and on strengthening my groin, which I have suffered with. The operation went well and I have nearly double the strength in the groin now than before. The physios at Liverpool are measuring that on a weekly basis and the results show that.
"I know I will be rusty in friendlies but I have confidence that I am going to be the freshest I have been, both mentally and physically, for a long, long time."
Whilst the club captain acknowledges that he'll have to work hard to return to his optimum level, Gerrard has no issue with putting in the extra effort to make sure Liverpool get the best of his abilities.
"For two or three hours each day I will have to work on my body to make sure I am right," he said.
"But I don't see that as a chore. This is me getting right for Liverpool Football Club. I've not kicked a ball for a long time, probably the longest I have gone in my career, and I can't wait to get back now."
Gerrard also revealed that he's taken to different forms of activity to keep in shape whilst out through injury, with Yoga now one of the 89-cap international's new methods.
"I have started doing yoga a couple of times a week as well. It absolutely wipes you out. People who think you turn up and you're just posing in different shapes should have a go!
"I am enjoying it after the sessions because I am feeling the benefits. That is part of the reason why my groin feels so good just now" he concluded
Champions of England 2020.
YNWA