Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard: We must build a squad to compete with Manchester United

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard  wants to see the club build a squad capable of challenging Manchester United after their bitter rivals secured a 19th league title this season.

United won the Premier League last season taking over Liverpool as the most successful top-division side in England in the process.

Liverpool are currently on 18 league titles, but their last win was back in 1990, before the inception of the Premier League and the last time Kenny Dalglish was at the helm.

However, Gerrard believes a new lease of live has been breathed into the Anfield club over the last six months – something that has coincided with the return of Dalglish.

In January, Liverpool really splashed the cash, spending almost £60 million on Andy Carroll from Newcastle and Luis Suarez from Ajax, but the spending has so far continued into the summer as well with the recent £20m acquisition of Jordan Henderson from Sunderland.

Although many suggest Liverpool have paid over the odds for their recent purchases, Gerrard believes the spending of big money can only be a good thing as it shows intent from the club and its owners.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the 31 year-old said: “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.

“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 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.”

Following a fairly disappointing season on the whole, the England international is excited about next season and what it could bring as he looks to improve on this term.

Gerrard only featured in 21 league matches last season as injuries struck several times, but he insists he is as motivated as ever and will be back just as strong.

“I want to come back with a bang,” he explained. “I want to have a big season. 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.”

Aside from injuries, there is one other thing plaguing midfielder, and that is winning trophies.

Now the wrong side of 30, time is obviously running out as he bids to add more trophies to the Anfield trophy-cabinet, but he is remaining optimistic, claiming he has several years left in him yet.

He continued: “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.”