Gerrard's 2013-14 message to fans
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is confident that the Reds can significantly climb the Barclays Premier League table in 2013-14 if they reproduce the form shown during the second half of last season.
Brendan Rodgers' team lost just one of their final 12 league fixtures in 2012-13, winning on seven occasions in the process, to ultimately finish seventh in the standings; the run also included victories by four, five and six clear goals.
The club's skipper considered those performances worthy of a Champions League qualification spot and will approach the new campaign hopeful that Rodgers' summer signings can take Liverpool to the next level.
"The final five or six months of the season were fantastic, we showed fantastic form - I think it was top-four form," Gerrard told LFC TV at his foundation's charity golf day in Portugal.
"We certainly finished the season really strong, but we were very inconsistent from August to Christmas - that's the reason why we never managed to achieve what we set out to do, which was a top-four finish.
"But I felt at times in the season we played some brilliant football. If we can find that level on a consistent basis, I've got confidence we can break into the top four.
"The realistic message is to say to the fans that the last four or five months of the season were really positive, we played well. If these signings are positive and successes, they can add to those performances.
"If the fans get behind us and show the support that we know they can, I believe we can push into the top four. That would be a fantastic achievement if you look at the standard of the teams in this league."
Liverpool's season will start with a home fixture against Stoke City, on August 17, before a trip to Aston Villa and the visit of reigning champions Manchester United to Anfield.
In their opening nine Premier League matches, the Reds face only one team who finished above them last season; Gerrard, though, refused to look beyond game No.1.
The 33-year-old continued: "It could have been an awful lot trickier. We've got to be reasonably pleased with the start we've got but every game in the Premier League is tough.
"You need to turn up and perform. I look at the fixtures all the time but the most important thing is to not get too carried away and look at that first game. We need to get off to a good start in terms of being positive for that first home game."
Asked to reflect on Rodgers' maiden year at the Anfield helm, the captain revealed his pleasure at the progress achieved to date and explained which areas need to be improved upon this time around.
"When you get a new manager and new staff it takes a while for the message to come across and for all the players to take it on board," added the Reds' No.8.
"But we've also got to be men about it and take responsibility that, at times, we didn't turn up and perform. There were certain games where we weren't happy with ourselves individually and as a team - Southampton away, Aston Villa at home, West Brom away.
"We have to make sure those mistakes and performances don't happen next year and, if they don't, hopefully we can have a good season.
"I think the manager has done well - he's taken a huge job on at a young age. He did fantastically well at Swansea and some of his other previous jobs, so he certainly deserves a crack at a big club.
"I think he's moving the team and the club forward and making good progress. If he gets the backing from the owners, and the current squad that we've already got improves, I'm sure we can make the fans happy."