Skipper expects Reds to 'surprise a few'
Steven Gerrard expects Liverpool to 'surprise a few people' with their capabilities this season, although the Reds captain will not countenance talk of a Barclays Premier League title challenge just yet.
Since suffering a hamstring injury against West Ham United on December 7, the 33-year-old has watched his teammates thrash Tottenham Hotspur and overcome Cardiff City to claim top spot for Christmas.
Brendan Rodgers' side now travel to top-four rivals Manchester City and Chelsea this week with fresh discussion of the club's targets for 2013-14 - but Gerrard is unequivocal in his assessment.
He told Sky Sports: "We keep to the ambitions and targets we had at the beginning of the season - which is to break into the top four and try to add a trophy. They were the plans.
"We went out of the Capital One Cup, so we want to have a good run in the FA Cup and we want to finish in the top four. That doesn't change because we're sitting pretty in the league.
"If we find ourselves first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth, our ambitions don't change - it's to break into the top four. If we better that, then fantastic.
"We're playing in a very good team at the moment, a hungry team with a good mixture of youth and experience. When you've got hungry players who want to succeed and deliver, you've got a better chance of winning things.
"We are title contenders and in the title race if we're in the title race with 10 games to go. I don't get carried away, change targets or raise expectations around this city just because we've started the season very strongly and we're in amongst it in November and December.
"To be in a title race, you've got to be there when there are 10 games to go with a realistic challenge of winning it. But I do have confidence and belief in my teammates that we're capable of surprising a few people this season."
After 17 Premier League fixtures last season, the Reds had amassed 22 points and sat in 12th place; in contrast, Rodgers' team are currently top of the standings with 36 points.
Asked how the Northern Irishman has moulded and adapted the squad to produce such progress, the skipper pointed to the attractive brand of football as a marker.
"He has brought in his own way of playing, which suits the Liverpool style - which is passing and moving with tempo, giving good angles for each other," Gerrard continued.
"That's what we're doing at home; we've made Anfield a fortress this season. People are not going to enjoy coming to Anfield, because we're passing it so well and the fans are behind us and enjoying this style.
"I think we made a statement at Tottenham that we're ready to improve our away form and try to find a better level of consistency away from home. If we get that, I think we're going to surprise a few this season."
Rodgers revealed on December 13 that his captain would miss at least four weeks with the problem he picked up earlier in the month - and Gerrard provided an encouraging update on his condition.
"I'm on track for a New Year comeback," he said. "The injury has settled down really well; I'm out jogging, doing bits and bobs, and I'm stepping it up each day. I'm in every day, working hard to get back as quickly as possible."