Steven Gerrard on how his kids keep him sane

There is a certain gravity about Steven Gerrard. He is a serious footballer in every sense of the word.

So how does he deal with the week between the two massive matches that will define his and Liverpool's season? Easy, he tunes in to the Tweenies.

Meeting him before he prepared to travel to London for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, his relaxed attitude is a million miles away from the deadly serious demeanour he normally carries.

In his hand is a leaflet advertising a stage production of LazyTown. This - for those of you without young kids - is a slightly surreal TV show that mixes live actors with puppets.

When he first exploded on the scene as a precocious teenager, Gerrard's life was that of the football obsessive. But not any more. His two daughters Lily-Ella, 4, and Lexie, nearly two, make sure of that.

"You can drive yourself mad in football thinking about the games all the time. I used to be like that when I was younger, just thinking about the games coming up and the ones that had just gone," said Gerrard. "It would drive me nuts because I would be consumed by it.

"I used to drive myself mad because I couldn't switch off but now the kids have come along there is no chance of me going into my own football world in my head because they are no interested in that. It's all Barbies and Tweenies and stuff like that.

I'm just getting tickets for the LazyTown tour coming up - it's Sportacus they think is the hero, not me!

"In fact, they haven't got the first clue what is going on in daddy's world. They'll just about notice that daddy's on the telly sometimes, but that's it.

"It's girls' stuff and that's what I get up to when I'm not at work! It's great really because it gives me an escape, it stops me from getting too crazy about the football.

"The semi-final against Chelsea was only a week apart and it was pretty obvious I wouldn't be playing the league game in between.

"So you could spend the whole week obsessing about all the details but the kids keep me away from that - they keep me sane!"

Gerrard cheerfully admits that he has learnt from his manager not to become too obsessed by things out of his control. And that is why he has barely given a second thought to the John Arne Riise own goal that gives Chelsea the advantage tonight. Instead, he is concentrating solely on what it will take to make the final for the third time in four years.

We meet to talk about the new adidas kit that Liverpool will launch in May, a kit that they will not be able to wear should they reach the final because - whether they meet Manchester United or Barcelona - they are scheduled to wear their white shirts.

"I have learnt from Benitez that it is pointless getting worked up about things you can't control," he explained.

"The colour of the kit, you can't do anything about that. A goal you conceded, you can't change that. When I was younger I did get consumed by things like that but now I have a very clear picture of what is important and that is how we beat Chelsea.

"We know their weaknesses, we know how to beat them, We will need big performances from our big players to do that but the only important thing is how we produce those performances."

Gerrard, 27, is quietly amused by the image he has of being almost sullenly serious.

But he can laugh at himself, as he does when the perennial subject of a transfer to Chelsea comes up.

Every time they meet the London club there is a fresh rumour suggesting he wants to head south.

"It's true, when we play them there's always a story. But I can't see myself playing anywhere else now. While it is in my hands and it's my decision, then that decision will be to stay at Liverpool and try to fulfil my remaining ambition here," he explained.

"I have got three years left on my contract. I signed a new deal to stay here long term, and no matter what you hear every time we play Chelsea, I am happy here.

"I want to stay. I am enjoying my football and the development of this side.

"I can see this team getting stronger and stronger because we are a young team that is developing.

"We say this every summer, but maybe this year is the important summer because it's the chance for us to go to the next level."

adidas, the official sponsor and sportswear supplier for Liverpool Football Club, has revealed the club's new home strip for next season.

The stylish kit is in classic Liverpool red, and carries and embroidered Liver Bird and a "This is Anfield" inscription, inspired by the famous sign.

As always for adidas, technology is at the forefront of the design. The shirt incorporates the renowned ClimaCool and ForMotion technologies, allowing heat and sweat to escape.

It's all Barbies & Tweenies when I'm not at work - and it's great because it stops me getting too crazy about football

CHELSEA & LIVERPOOL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

CHELSEA LIVERPOOL

145 SHOTS 131

46% on target 49%

11 Games Played 11

16 Goals 27

145 Ave Goals per game 245

11% % Goals to Shots 21%

CHELSEA LIVERPOOL

4,703 PASSES 3,605

Total Passes

CHELSEA LIVERPOOL

173 FOULS 169

13 Yellow Cards 13

Fouls

BATTLE OF BRITAIN PARTIII, TAKE 2

Match Odds: Chelsea 8/11, Liverpool 11/8 To score first... Chelsea 5/6, Liverpool 11/8, No goal 11/2

Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)

CHELSEA

Manager: Avram Grant

Makelele was very influential in the first leg, sitting deep and restricting Gerrard. Ballack is in great form and, because he is similar to Lampard, is better when they do not play together. Another consideration is that Lampard has not trained properly for two weeks. Kalou is more attacking than hopeless Malouda

89% PASSING ACCCURACY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIS SEASSON

MAKELELE

The unsung hero of Chelsea's first leg at Anfield. Makelele sat deep and restricted Gerrard's runs and movements. Wherever Gerrard went, Makelele followed. He also sits deep, protects the back four and plays the simple pass. His experience and know-how will be crucial if Chelsea are to stop Liverpool and reach the final

LIVERPOOL

Manager: Rafael Benitez

4-2-3-1

Benitez will have to make a change because of injury, but he should stick with Carragher in the middle after his performance at Anfield. Riise, the villain, may have to come in to defence while Torres's pace up front will stretch Chelsea's defence

78% PASSING ACCCURACY IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THIS SEASON

GERRARD

His understanding with Torres is sensational and the England midfielder is among the best in Europe. If Gerrard can get into the game - run it even - then Liverpool can overturn Chelsea's advantage and reach the final. Gerrard has great pace, vision, enthusiasm and is superb at getting forward. But the key to his performance is getting free and shaking off Makelele

LAWRO VERDICT

Chelsea to edge through. John Arne Riise's own goal has given Chelsea a crucial edge and that may be enough to make it third time lucky and leave Liverpool heartbroken this time