Steven Gerrard in tribute to Liverpool FC players and supporters

May 1 2008 by Tony Barrett

A disappointed Steven Gerrard leaves the pitch _158

STEVEN GERRARD today paid tribute to his Liverpool team-mates and told them they can be proud of their efforts despite being denied a place in the European Cup final by Chelsea.

Avram Grant’s side will now meet Manchester United in the first all-English final – but only after being pushed all the way by Liverpool in a pulsating semi-final tie.

Chelsea’s 3-2 victory in last night’s second leg was cruel on the Reds, who had threatened to upset the odds by dumping the Londoners out of the competition.

And, though bitterly disappointed to miss out on a Moscow showdown with arch rivals United, Gerrard insists Liverpool did themselves proud at Stamford Bridge.

"It just wasn’t to be," he said. "Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and admit it wasn’t your night.

"We gave it absolutely everything and I was as proud to be captain of the team last night as I have ever been.

"Even after going behind we kept on fighting and looking to get back into the game and when we managed to do that it looked like we could even go on and win it in normal time.

"Like I said, it wasn’t to be, but it wasn’t for a lack of effort. You have to give Chelsea credit, they are a good side – you don’t get through to European Cup finals unless you are."

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel struck Liverpool’s goals, but those were not enough to stop Chelsea from reaching their first European Cup final, thus ending Rafa Benitez’s hopes of landing any silverware this season.

His captain now believes everyone at Anfield has to recover from this defeat as quickly as possible and look towards next season.

"We’ve all got to dust ourselves down and look forward because it’s never easy to lose a game like this," he said.

"We were all desperate to win the European Cup again, especially for our fans, who were magnificent again last night.

"The backing they gave us was incredible and we’re just gutted that we could not repay their support by getting through to the final.

"But there is no point in looking back or thinking of what might have been. We have to look forward because we have to go into next season looking to improve again.

"Hopefully, we will go into next season with a stronger squad because that could make a big difference, particularly when we’re playing in games like last night’s."

"And if we can bottle the disappointment we’re feeling right now it could be a big motivation for us."

Torres (tight hamstring) and Martin Skrtel (knee) were today being assessed by Liverpool’s medical team at Melwood after being substituted through injury in last night’s defeat.