Steven Gerrard says he looks back at Liverpool’s 2013/14 campaign with great pride, and is hopeful of going one better in the new season.
The Reds skipper, who announced his retirement from international football last week, spoke openly in an interview with LFC TV.
“When you play at this level the margins are so tight, so when you fall short of something having been within touching distance the emotions are still going to be raw and will take time to get over,” he said.
“The only way to do that is to go and achieve something this season. But the longer I’ve reflected upon it and analysed the season, you can look back and be proud of your teammates.”
Liverpool came within touching distance of their first Premier League title, finishing just two points behind champions Manchester City.
They were the talk of the league, playing an exciting blend of attacking football that saw them score 101 goals in total.
Now Gerrard wants to continue that incredible form and momentum going into the new season, which is just three weeks away.
He continued, “I think the fans will agree with me that the performance levels last season were incredible. Some of our performances were top-drawer.
“I believe we are in a much better place now than we were this time last year. The reason being because we’ve got the taste, the know-how and the experience of being in a title race. If we can use the hurt of falling short last season in our favour then hopefully we can go one better.
“I think this is the first time in a long time that I can be confident of telling people that we are the real deal and are real title contenders before a ball has been kicked.”
Liverpool get their 2014/15 Premier League campaign underway against Southampton on Sunday, 17th August, but will first continue their pre-season preparations in the USA.
The Reds face Greek champions Olympiacos on Sunday night at Chicago’s Soldier Field, with Gerrard set to make his first appearance of the tour.
Read our full match preview and team news ahead of the clash here.
0 comments: