Steven Gerrard: We Will Challenge For Trophies

Steven Gerrard hopes Liverpool will be able to close the gap on the top four this season and is looking forward to getting the new campaign underway, the Reds captain is also looking forward to resuming the rivalry with Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side recorded their 19th Premier League title last season, edging one ahead in the long-running battle between the old foes.

With Liverpool owners willing to spend big after the aqcustion  of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez last season and having recently signed England Under-21 midfielder Jordan Henderson in a £20million deal, Gerrard is confident the Anfield side can match United and suggested he wants to win more trophies before the end of his Anfield career.

"As a Liverpool fan and a player it's frustrating when you see your arch-rivals lifting trophies but you've got to give credit where it's due. They've won it, they've overtaken us," said the 31-year-old.

"Now the challenge for us is to equalise. We've got to make sure we've got a squad capable of going into the season and competing with Manchester United.

"It's a big statement by the club getting a big signing in early and now we're watching anxiously for a few more to follow. It's exciting times.

"It's important this team delivers very soon because we've been a number of seasons without putting a trophy in the cabinet and that's not what Liverpool is about.

"I want to play well, I want to score goals - but it's much more important that the team plays well and we all end the season happy."

Gerrard is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme after missing the end of last season after undergoing groin surgery in March.

"I want to come back with a bang, I want to have a big season," Gerrard told Liverpool's official website.
"It's been non-stop football for me since I started when I was 17. I've never had a period of more than four or five weeks out of the game, so it's been nice to rest mentally.

"You don't want to miss games but when you're watching them it gives you that edge, that buzz to get back.

"I'll come back hungry and hopefully there's a very productive season ahead for me."

Jordan Henderson Joins Liverpool

Jordan Henderson has completed his move to Liverpool today, the midfielder has signed long-term contract at Anfield.

The Black Cats accepted an offer from the Reds earlier this week and allowed Henderson to head to Merseyside for talks, The midfielder has already joined the England Under 21 squad in Denmark ahead of the start of the European Championship this weekend.

Henderson is in line to face Spain on Sunday and will remain focused on international duty until later in the summer.

"I'm over the moon, overjoyed to be here and I'm really looking forward to it," he told the club's official website.

"Liverpool's definitely the place to help me come on as a player, and improve me. The club's going in the right direction and it can go as high as it wants."

Henderson is looking forward to playing alongside stars such as ndy Carroll and Luis Suarez, as well as captain Steven Gerrard.

Speaking about Gerrard he said; "He is one of the best players in the world, you want to be playing with him and training with him to try and improve yourself as a player."

"I've trained with him once (for England) and he was unbelievable, to be honest.

"I'm looking forward to it, and there are other good players here who can help me as well.

"Steven has been a massive, massive player for Liverpool for years now and he still is. Hopefully I can learn a lot from him.

"Coming to a massive club like Liverpool, there is always going to be competition.

"Hopefully I can keep working hard, keep improving, and get my chance on the pitch.

"There is a lot to achieve. It's a massive club and we've seen over the last few months how good they are.

"So I'm just coming here to learn and try to improve my game and I'm sure that along the way there will be a lot of happy memories.

"You come to a big club and you want to win things. Liverpool have won a lot in the past and hopefully there is a lot more to come in the future."

Skrtel Insists Liverpool Will Challenge For Trophies Next Season

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is confident that Liverpool will be ready to challenge for trophies next season, the Reds have endured a difficult year after new owners were brought in and after Roy Hodgson was sacked, Kenny Dalglish was installed as his replacement at the turn of the New Year.



Once Kenny Dalglish became manager things started to turn around for Liverpool, putting on a run of consecutive win pushing them further up the table and with the additions of Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez  things appeared to be on the up at Anfield.

Yet back-to-back losses to round off the campaign saw Liverpool miss out on the chance to play European football next season.

Yet the summer looks likely to transfer action at Anfield, and Skrtel the defender believes the club will still be in contention next season regardless of who arrives despite still smarting over missing out on a Europa League spot.

"I would love to say I am satisfied but I am not," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"Our goal was simple and everyone knew it - Europa League. We didn't make it this time so I can only say that we will do our best next time.

"I have quite mixed feelings about this season. The beginning of the season was not good but this changed with the arrival of Kenny Dalglish.

"This was a turning point for our season and we really improved under his guidance. This gives me a lot of hope ahead of the new season."