Close friends of Liverpool and England skipper Steven Gerrard revealed to Skoob Sports News this morning that Stevie G appeared to be 'a bit nervous.'
One source confided that Stevie was 'on edge' as he took delivery of the daily papers, which he then scrutinised 'with massive concentration levels' before having coffee and crumpet and logging on to the internet.
Reports suggest that he 'frowned occasionally' as he surfed the net.
In some quarters, the reason given for Stevie's 'bit of nervousness' was a delayed reaction to Pepe Reina's own goal blooper against Arsenal, whereas others dispute this explanation.
"There's something not quite right with the skipper at the moment," said self-styled Kop legend Mickey McWhack. "I can't begin to imagine what it is, but it can't possibly be anything too serious. I don't think it was Pepe's howler against Arsenal - I mean, when the sun's in your eyes, the sun's in your eyes. There's not a lot you can do about it."
Kop legend Ronnie Whelan - who once scored a spectacular thirty yard own goal at Old Trafford, with a precision lob at the Stretford End - refused to comment, but was heard to mumble somewhat irritably:
"I thought all this was supposed to have been sorted. And that."
Our reporter managed to get hold of a number for Stevie G's wife, Alex, and called to enquire about Stevie's welfare. He was told that Alex was out shopping with Abbey Clancy but would get back to us.
All very mysterious.
More as we get it.
