League Title is a Distraction for Arsenal, Says Gerrard

Steven Gerrard sought comfort in Arsenal's stirring fightback against Bolton Wanderers yesterday by claiming it could distract Arsène Wenger's team from a single-minded pursuit of the Champions League.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal approach tomorrow's Champions League quarter-final having scored psychologically important results at the weekend: the visitors reducing the pressure on qualification for next season's competition with victory over Everton and the hosts ending a run of five league games without success in dramatic fashion at the Reebok.

Arsenal remain six points adrift of the leaders, Manchester United, despite recovering from a two-goal deficit against Gary Megson's team but, argues Gerrard, their lingering interest in the Premier League title may affect the Gunners' motivation at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.

"If Arsenal hadn't beaten Bolton, maybe they'd only have had one thing to play for this season and that could have made it more difficult for us," the Liverpool captain said. "But with them still having half a chance in the league, maybe that could distract them a bit."

Gerrard was outstanding in the Merseyside derby at Anfield and his understanding with the 28-goal Fernando Torres, coupled with the availability of Javier Mascherano for the quarter-final, has fuelled Liverpool confidence for the first leg. The captain believes his club's consistency in Europe and the pedigree born of two Champions League finals in the past three seasons will favour Rafael Benítez's side in London tomorrow.

"Before the draw was made, we'd have been looking to get a team from Europe rather than another from the Premier League," said the England midfielder. "But you get what you are given and to win the European Cup you have to beat the best. When we won it in 2005, we had to beat all the best teams to win it and I'm sure we're going to have to do that again if we want to win it this season. We're a good side in Europe and we're always confident no matter who we come up against that we are going to qualify. I think the other teams are more worried about us because we've proved in the last two or three years that we're one of the best teams in the competition. We've got nothing to fear."

Liverpool were beaten 3-0 on their only previous visit to the Emirates, for a league game in November 2006, and Gerrard insists the eight-point gap between the teams in the league will have no bearing on their first European encounter. "The Champions League games against Arsenal are going to be different to the league game we have there," he added. "We found the Champions League games we had against Chelsea were different to the Premier League games, with it being a cup competition and not for three points. But we know we are in for two really tough games."

Gerrard's man of the match performance in the derby was tainted by the vile abuse he received from Everton supporters at Anfield, invective that prompted Benítez to criticise their "lack of respect" after a game in which players on both sides were subjected to personal attack. Everton responded to the Liverpool manager's comments yesterday by claiming their captain, Phil Neville, was punched as he prepared to take a throw in front of the Centenary Stand and have asked Merseyside police to investigate the incident.

"Whilst we would never condone the singling out of individual players for vitriolic insults, it is a shame that Mr Benítez chose to ignore the actions of his own club's supporters," said an Everton spokesman. "Not only was Joleon Lescott subjected all afternoon to a long barrage of quite disgusting and quite audible abuse, Phil Neville was seemingly spat at several times and was also punched in the back by a supporter as he took a throw-in."