Gerrard insists Liverpool can challenge for title

Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool can improve on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old’s former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson recently stated his belief that the only chance of Gerrard winning the Premier League would be if he left Anfield.

However, Gerrard is hopeful the club can win the domestic crown before he retires and believes finding consistency is key to maintaining a push for the title.

“I don’t think we’re miles away,” Gerrard told Sky Sports News. “We have to be realistic and we finished eighth in the league last year, but we got to two major cup finals which shows that we are a good team and we can compete with anyone on our day.

“If we find a better level of consistency at the club, I think we can find ourselves higher up the table than last year.

“Who knows what’s around the corner? For me, I just take each game as it comes and hopefully before I hang my boots up I can realise the dream of winning it, but I’m also realistic as well.”

The midfielder also spoke about the impact Brendan Rodgers has had at the club since taking over.

“Of course it’s different. All managers are, and we have had a new coaching set-up, so there are bound to be differences, but it’s not drastic changes,” Gerrard said.

“All the managers I have worked with have tried to play the right way for the club, it’s worked out for some and it hasn’t for others. Let’s hope that it’s a bright future under Brendan.

“He has more of a continental style, he wants to us to keep the ball more with emphasis on possession and winning the ball back as quickly as we can. Let’s hope there is a bright future around the corner.”

Gerrard also praised the impact of recruit Joe Allen and is tipping him to become a hit at Anfield.

Rodgers splashed out 15 million pounds to bring his former Swansea City player to the club and the Wales international has already set about justifying the fee with a man-of-the-match display against Premier League champions Manchester City.

Gerrard said: “When you make big-money signings people expect it to take time to settle in. You naturally give them that bit of time but it seems like Joe has cruised in and settled in really, really well.

“He is only small but he passes the ball well, he’s safe in possession, he works really hard for the team.

“If he can keep performing to the level he is then I think we’ve found ourselves a player.”