Gerrard: Cisse can replace Owen

Last Updated : 14-Aug-2004 by
"We were all shocked about Michael leaving," the Liverpool skipper admitted. "It looked like he would be staying, then Real Madrid called, and everyone knows how difficult that is to turn down.

"No one can blame Michael for going. He has been such a good servant.

"Players make their own decisions. He has gone, and we have to get on without him. It is a good chance for Cisse to get the goals now Michael isn't here.

"We shaded the first half, and they came back into it in the second. Last year we got nothing here, so maybe a point is a bonus.

"The manager will be disappointed at the way we took the foot off the pedal in the second half."

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