GERRARD: WINNING IS WHAT MATTERED

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Steven Gerrard has insisted that winning the derby was more important than any disappointment he may have felt at not completing the full 90 minutes.

The Reds skipper was replaced by Brazilian Lucas Leiva with 20 minutes remaining and although he was frustrated not to play the entire game he admits having the derby bragging rights is what matters most.
  
"I'm a local lad so the derby is really important to me and I would have liked nothing better than to play the full game and to be on the pitch when we got the winner," said Gerrard.
  
"But as it turned out I was taken off and Lucas Leiva who replaced me played a crucial role in us getting the winning goal.
  
"I was hurt and disappointed at being taken off because, like I said, I'm a local lad and the derby means everything to me.
  
"I'll be speaking to the manager about it just to find out why I was substituted, but I won't be banging on his door or anything like that.
  
"We'll just have a chat and whatever is said will remain between us. But I've been in the game long enough to know that no-one is going to play every minute of every game and there will be times when I'm taken off like everyone else.
  
"The most important thing is that we won the game.
  
"When we lost there last season it left a bad feeling that didn't go away for quite some time, so it is good to get that out of our systems."
  
By his own admission, the inspirational midfielder has not been in top form in recent weeks, but after receiving some tremendous backing from the travelling fans during an improved display at Goodison Park, he is keen to say thank you for their support.
  
"The way the fans got behind me was fantastic and I loved it," he said.
  
"I know I haven't been at my best lately but I'm doing everything I can to get back there and having that kind of backing really does make a difference.
  
"I'm working back towards my best and knowing the fans are behind me will definitely help me get there much quicker."