‘We’re going to win the league’

The form of the Reds in recent weeks has fuelled belief on Merseyside that this could finally be Liverpool’s year as they push for their first League title since 1990 and Steven Gerrard believes their chances are boosted by the fact favourites Chelsea and Manchester City are continuing to fight on multiple fronts.

Steven Gerrard has enjoyed plenty of success during a long and distinguished career but the best could still be to come for both Liverpool and England.

The midfielder has spent his entire career at Anfield and although he has lifted the European Cup, the English Premier League title has eluded him.

And on the international front, he has been part of a so-called ‘golden generation’ that has never lived up to the hype and managed to deliver a trophy — or even reach a final.

But with Liverpool still in the EPL title race and England preparing for the World Cup, Gerrard will be desperate to achieve further success in the twilight of his career.

A tilt at the Premier League trophy had not been part of manager Brendan Rodgers’ plan this season and, despite their impressive form, the party line at Anfield has been that they are not getting carried away.

That, though, is becoming an increasingly difficult mantra to stick to, with the 3-0 victory at Southampton seeing them climb above Manchester City and Arsenal into second place.

The form of the Reds in recent weeks has fuelled belief on Merseyside that this could finally be Liverpool’s year as they push for their first title since 1990, and Gerrard believes their chances are boosted by the fact favourites Chelsea and Manchester City are continuing to fight on multiple fronts.

Just four points separate them from leaders Chelsea, and Liverpool’s travelling fans chanted ‘We’re going to win the league’ at St. Mary’s — something Gerrard believes is a realistic goal given their full focus is on the league, unlike their rivals.

“Well, I think it’s very nice that people are talking about us and we are in the title race — there’s no getting away from that,” the Reds captain said. “We’re in it.

“But it’s important that we stay calm, keep taking it game by game and try to win as many as we can. Man City and Chelsea are still the favourites if you like because they’ve got that experience of going to win it.

“But I think they both know, listening to Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini, that we are a big threat because we’ve got no Europe and we can be fresh every game.”

Whatever happens in the title race, Gerrard will then focus on the World Cup and England are using a psychiatrist in a bid to finally produce their best form on the global stage.

That is certainly something that Gerrard approves of after revealing he may not have recovered from a career-threatening injury four year ago had it not been for Dr. Steve Peters, who will accompany the England squad to Brazil.

Peters has helped Britain’s track athletes and cycling stars such as Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish win Olympic gold and he has most recently earned praise at Liverpool.

“I had a career-threatening injury called a groin avulsion where the muscle comes off the bone,” Gerrard said.

“I’d seen three or four surgeons and they weren’t really convincing me that I could maybe play again so I turned to him.

“He helps you with positivity, the power of thought, and staying upbeat, that sort of stuff.

“It was a very important stage in my career. I went to see him and I can only speak very highly of my private one-on-ones with him.

“I read his book and now I basically understand the different parts of the brain, how they work, when they function and why you think certain things, why you bite your children’s heads off from time to time, blame (wife) Alex for everything and so on.

“He does simplify things and I am a lot more patient as a person now and I think I’ve improved as a person. He’s also helped me with the game as well.”

Gerrard’s club and country will both hope to reap the rewards in the coming months.

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