Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard warned on Tuesday that his side are on the rise and will be better equipped than ever to challenge Chelsea for next year’s Premiership title. ”We have progressed a lot in the last year,” said Gerrard. ”The gap was 35 points last season, this time around we are better than half that. We have got a fantastic manager [Rafael Benitez] who is going to continue to build.
”But Chelsea are a fantastic team. Manchester United and Arsenal are going to come back strongly next year too. Tottenham have a great young side as well. The Premiership is getting more and more exciting.”
England midfielder Gerrard (25) insisted he has no thoughts about leaving the club as Liverpool prepare to face West Ham on Wednesday in a dress rehearsal of the FA Cup final.
”I have come to terms that if you are playing for Liverpool and playing well, then other top teams are going to show interest in you,” he said. ”I am really happy and settled, and I am focused on finishing the season strongly for Liverpool, then going and having a good World Cup.”
And Gerrard believes England have their best chance to win the World Cup. ”Because the World Cup is in Germany, it might be our best chance to win it for a long time. The next one is in South Africa and the climate may not be right, and it will be a long way to travel.
”So we have got to make the most of Germany, go there and give it our best shot. That is the incentive — to come back here as heroes.
”We are going there to win it — we are not going there to make up the numbers.” — Sapa-AFP