• Premier League

McCarthy mocks reporter over Steven Gerrard question

ESPN staff
September 22, 2011
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is a big fan of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, but he doesn't want to face him © PA Photos
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Mick McCarthy delivered an amusingly sarcastic press conference ahead of Wolves' weekend trip to Liverpool, expressing his "delight" at the fact Steven Gerrard has returned from injury for the Anfield club.

Wolves and Liverpool are both currently sat on seven points after five games, but Kenny Dalglish's men have their talisman and skipper back from a long layoff. The England man's return is well-timed after the 4-0 humbling suffered by Liverpool at Tottenham.

Gerrard played 15 minutes in midweek against Brighton and is expected to be on the bench again for this weekend's visit of Wolves. Liverpool can also call on Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel, who both served their one-match suspensions against Brighton.

Asked if he was looking forward to playing a Liverpool side once again governed by Gerrard, McCarthy could not control his reaction.

"Delighted. Bring [Graeme] Souness and all them back, see if Kenny and Rushy can come back. I'm delighted that they get all their best players back," McCarthy joked.

"I'm thrilled that the cup competition meant that Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel can play. It's great isn't it? I'm delighted for them. I don't want to go there and win, I want to let them play and have all their good players in the team. It's great."

Pausing for breath, the reporter began to ask the next question, only for McCarthy to quickly interrupt to clarify his thoughts on the subject.

"From that you can probably deduce that I'm not delighted that he's back," said the Wolves boss. "For him I am, because I like Steven Gerrard - he's a top player and top professional.

"But I don't want to play against him. I don't want him making it harder for me. No thanks."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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