• Premier League

Gerrard expects 'big things' from 'top four' Liverpool

ESPN staff
October 17, 2011
Steven Gerrard scored Liverpool's opener against Manchester United © Getty Images
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Steven Gerrard is eyeing an important future for the current Liverpool squad after the Reds drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.

The result actually represented the first occasion in four seasons that Liverpool have failed to beat their rivals on home soil, but that has not dampened the positive feeling on Merseyside. Kenny Dalglish's side were widely acknowledged to have been the better team on the day, and arguably should have won the game through late chances for Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson.

Gerrard had earlier given Liverpool the lead before Javier Hernandez equalised with United's only real effort of the contest. And the Liverpool skipper insists that, with his side currently two points outside the top four, they should finish in the Champions League places this season.

"It goes to show how far this team and this squad has come that we're disappointed not to have taken maximum points off Manchester United," Gerrard said. "We stood up to the test and we've proved we're up there as good as the best in the league.

"We are really confident we can push on from this game now and put in a real good fight for the top four."

Liverpool had over £55 million of talent on the bench at the weekend, and Andy Carroll and Craig Bellamy did not even feature as Dalglish stuck with a formula that kept United out of the game for long periods. Gerrard insists the sight of that bench is proof enough that Liverpool are far stronger than a year ago.

"We have improved and are a lot stronger and you sum a side up by how strong your bench is," Gerrard said. "If you look at our bench against United we had Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll and Jordan Henderson - that goes to show how much stronger we've got over the last couple of years.

"It is a really big positive when you know you have got big subs coming on and we are really happy with how things are going at the moment. All those players (and other summer signings like Jose Enrique, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing) have made our squad an awful lot stronger.

"There is a mixture of experience and young and it will take time to settle and produce top form on a consistent basis. But I think there are going to be big things from those players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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