Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool are only "two or
three players" short of the level of Premier League champions
Manchester United.
The Reds skipper and his team-mates finished
runners-up to their North West rivals this season as Sir Alex
Ferguson's side clinched the title by four
points.
But Gerrard feels that, with a little fine tuning, Champions
League quarter-finalists Liverpool will be capable of challenging
on all fronts in 2009/10.
The England international thinks boss Rafa Benitez, who has been
linked with a big-money move for Carlos Tevez, will already be
plotting potential signings to close the gap on the strength in
depth of United and third-placed Chelsea.
"We are very close. I'm sure the manager will want to strengthen
the team and the squad a little bit over the summer," he told Sky
Sports News after collecting his Football Writers' Association
Footballer of the Year award on Friday night.
"I don't think there are many changes that are needed. But we
need to freshen up, like all the teams do. I feel as if we can
fight for all the big trophies next season.
"I'm sure he (Benitez) is already working on what part of the
team needs strengthening.
"I think, if you look at Manchester United's squad and Chelsea's
squad, you look how strong their benches are and how strong players
are that are not even making their eighteens.
"I think we are just a little bit off that at the moment. Maybe
two or three players from having a squad on a level with those two.
I feel that is how close we are."
Gerrard believes Liverpool - who finished on 86 points - deserve
credit for almost toppling United.
"You look at the points tally, we finished the season with 86
points. Usually that is enough to be crowned worthy champions," he
added.
"Manchester United have played at a fantastic standard this year
and unfortunately we have finished runners-up."