• Captain believes owners FSG can make Liverpool
competitive
• Steven Gerrard almost back to full fitness after groin
surgery
Steven
Gerrard is hopeful Liverpool's
transfer activity this summer will give the club the opportunity to
redress the balance in their long-running battle with Manchester
United. Sir Alex Ferguson's side edged one ahead of Liverpool in
terms of championship titles with their 19th success in
May.
By contrast, Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 – when
Kenny Dalglish was in charge first time around – and their last
trophy of any kind was the 2006 FA Cup. Gerrard is optimistic that
Liverpool can match United under the ownership of Fenway Sports
Group, who have proven they are willing to invest heavily in
players for the long-term future having recently signed the England
Under-21 midfielder Jordan Henderson from Sunderland in a £20m deal
.
"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."
Gerrard is currently undergoing a programme of rehabilitation
with club physios at his holiday home in Portugal after groin
surgery in March, but he will be ready for the start of
pre-season.
It is has been Gerrard's longest spell on the sidelines in his
career and the England midfielder is confident he will be refreshed
and back to full fitness when the new season kicks off. "I want to
come back with a bang, I want to have a big season," Gerrard said.
"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.
"My injury's coming on well and I can't wait for the season to
start. There's still a lot of time for me to achieve bigger and
better things. I'd like to finish my career with a few more
trophies.
"I always look at the 35 marker. If I get there and I'm still
involved with Liverpool I'll be delighted but at the moment I'm
feeling as good as ever.
"I've had time to get my body right, get my body strong. I'm
still four or five weeks away from playing a game but I believe
I'll come back in better physical condition than I've ever
been."
