Gerrard: I'll be back with a bang

The 31-year-old has been watching from the sidelines since helping Liverpool to a 3-1 win over Manchester United on March 6.

A decision was made in April for Gerrard to undergo surgery with the aim of quelling a groin problem which restricted him to 24 appearances in 2010-11.

The operation was such a success that the skipper now feels fitter than ever ahead of pre-season training in July.

"I want to come back with a bang, I want to have a big season," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv in an interview during the Steven Gerrard Foundation Trophy golf event in Portugal.

"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.

"I've had a rest mentally, my injury's coming on well and I can't wait for the season to start."

Click on the play button below to watch our exclusive chat with Gerrard in Portugal

Gerrard's determination to 'come back with a bang' means there has been no let up in his recuperation this summer, with physios from Melwood working at his holiday home in Portugal every day.

Such professionalism is likely to extend his career for several more seasons but Gerrard is aware that his time wearing Liverpool red - which began at the age of nine after he was spotted playing for Whiston Juniors - will one day come to an end.

The midfielder's exploits in Istanbul are regarded as his zenith - though the part he played in our 2001 treble and 2006 FA Cup triumph would have been enough to earn most players iconic status.

But our No.8 is not one to dwell on his achievements - and instead he is aiming to write at least one more glorious chapter in his extraordinary story before hanging up his boots.

"That's the challenge for me and the players " said Gerrard, who is currently sandwiched between Alan Hansen and Chris Lawler at number 10 in Liverpool's all-time appearance table.

"We're happy with what we've achieved but 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."

Gerrard's absence from the team has coincided with the emergence of a clutch of Academy products who could become the next generation of Anfield heroes.

Asked how it felt watching the likes of John Flanagan, Martin Kelly and Jack Robinson burst onto the scene just like he did back in 1998, Gerrard replied: "It doesn't feel strange. Other players have done it - Stephen Warnock, Stephen Wright.

"The challenge for those players now is to build on what they did last season - can they become regulars, can they move big players out of their positions."

Gerrard may be spending his holidays by the Atlantic Ocean, but he is still following events at Anfield closely.

He made public his approval at the signing of England U21 midfielder Jordan Henderson earlier in the month - and one of the most pleasing aspects for the captain was Liverpool's expeditiousness in the transfer market.

"It's important not to waste time," said Gerrard. "If it gets towards the end of the window you're panicking and you're having to pay over the odds. 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 that 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. I want to play well, I want to score goals - but it's much more important that the team plays well and we all end the season happy."

The 2010-11 campaign will be remembered as a turbulent one in L4, with changes in the dugout and drama in the courtroom dominating the media agenda. Another uncomfortable headline for those with Liverpool in their heart was witnessing Manchester United claim a record 19^th league title.

Gerrard added: "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.

"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."

The Steven Gerrard Foundation works in consultation with its charitable partner, the Consortium for Street Children (CSC). For more information or to make a donation visit the SGF website.