Source: PA
Gerrard: Takeover has helped us improve
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes John Henry's takeover of the club has been a factor in the team's improved form, admitting "it's nice and refreshing to know we're in safe hands now".
American Henry completed his buy-out of the Anfield giants last month after a turbulent period under his compatriots and previous owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
A seventh-placed Barclays Premier League finish last season preceded a woeful start to the current campaign, which saw the team stuck in the bottom three under new boss Roy Hodgson. Defeat in the Merseyside derby against Everton greeted Henry in his first game as owner, but since then Gerrard and company have put together a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
England midfielder Gerrard reiterated that off-field matters were no excuse for the team's poor form, but believes a more settled boardroom has played a part recently.
The Reds skipper told Press Association Sport: "I think it helps. Listen, everyone wants to go onto the football pitch with everything right off the pitch and Liverpool had a hard 12 months with what's been going on off the pitch.
"We certainly wouldn't use it as an excuse for results on the pitch but it is nice and refreshing to know that we're in safe hands now, everyone wants to move the club forward and everyone can concentrate on the football and on making headlines on the back pages rather than the front."
