Source: Daily_Mail
Steven Gerrard targets Champions League
ShareLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the major target for next season is to bring Champions League back to Anfield. [LNB]Gerrard has been impressed with the progress the Reds made under Kenny Dalglish last season and believes that while he'd love to bring some much-needed silverware to the club, a top four finish is the more realistic goal. [LNB]'I'd love nothing better than to lead the lads to some silverware next year but I don't want to raise expectation by saying that will definitely happen,' Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv.[LNB] Red action: Gerrard is hoping to be fit in time for the start of pre-season training[LNB]'It would be stupid of me to raise expectations any more than they are already. At the beginning of every season at Liverpool expectations rise, and now that Kenny is staying and with a few signings I'm sure it'll go through the roof.[LNB]'Getting in the Champions League will be the main aim. I think it is for all the clubs in the Premier League. For financial reasons it's so important but it's also the biggest competition for players individually at club level.[LNB]'Everyone wants to be involved in it, we've had some fantastic nights at Anfield over the years in the competition and we all want to see those nights return.[LNB] Turnabout: Liverpool struggled to fire under Roy Hodgson but their season improved greatly under Dalglish[LNB] [LNB] 'We just need to continue what we've been doing during the last six months. Hopefully we'll add some more players to strengthen the squad and then we need to compete. We are goodenough to beat anyone on our day, we just need to find the consistency to challenge for honours.'[LNB]The skipper missed much of the run-in last season with a groin injury but has handed Dalglish a boost by announcing he's fit and raring tog o for the start of the coming term. [LNB]'I've had it sorted with surgery and hopefully next year I'll be fit and available after a good rest, with a brand new groin and ready to push on under Kenny,' he said.[LNB]'I'm due to come back after 12 weeks, so it'll be around when the lads return on July 4/5. Then I've got six weeks of pre-season to get match fit, so by the time the league starts I'm hoping to be in good shape.'[LNB] Jones price is right as United win cash battle to sign Blackburn defenderLiverpool bid for Saints prodigy as Dalglish looks to continue spending Rooney and Carroll do Lennon and McCartney as England pair belt out Beatles in BarbadosAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Steven Gerrard Places: Liverpool
