Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted a top-four finish is now a more realistic aim than winning the Barclays Premier League this season.
The Reds, one of the pre-season title favourites after finishing second last year, have fallen 13 points behind leaders Chelsea after a poor run of form throughout October and November. Rafael Benitez's side cannot progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League either and Gerrard accepts trying to qualify for Europe's elite competition again next year must be their top priority.
"I think we have to be realistic. At the moment we're out of the title race, but we will keep trying to get back in it," Gerrard told talkSPORT.
"There is still a lot of football to be played and it is possible to turn it around, but I think Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment.
"But our main target is to get back into the top four. We're coming off the back of a fantastic win at Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn and try and go on a run of games where we can get closer to the teams above us."
Gerrard, 29, is due to make his 500th appearance for the Anfield club in Saturday's home encounter with Blackburn.
The homegrown product made his debut against the same opposition as a last-minute substitute 11 years ago.
He has since gone on to become a club legend with highlights including inspirational performances in the Champions League and FA Cup final wins of 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Gerrard added: "It means everything to me personally. I'm a local boy and my dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool. So to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for my family and myself."
Comment 1 - 15 of 15
Fantastic win at Everton. Dont make me laugh, you just about managed it and as always you were stuffy.
Two signings that stand out for me by the fat waiter is Torres and Riena. Wonder what position in the league you would be without them.
Come on you blues.
sid.. fcuk your mom a.rse
500th match, wow that's a lot games to play with very little to show in the trophy cabinet. Still it's all the cowardly thug deserves. Anyway he no doubt realises that he has to move to a bigger and better club if he wants to win things, alternatively he might simply lack ambition and stay with Liverpool and settle for fourth place! Although either way that looks unlikely! Yak! Yak! Yak!
It is soooo dissapointing Stevie that once again we have to revise our target before
X-MAS. Best solution for the sake of our great club is to just "shut our mouth" and perform on the pitch. By the way RA dissapeared after short comeo appearance!!! is he still around Merseyside? hope RAFA will gives us update hehehe...
'CONGRATULATION CAPTAIN FANTASTIC ON REACHING 500 MARK'
500th match, wow that's a lot games to play with very little to show in the trophy cabinet. Still it's all the cowardly thug deserves. Anyway he no doubt realises that he has to move to a bigger and better club if he wants to win things, alternatively he might simply lack ambition and stay with Liverpool and settle for fourth place! Although either way that looks unlikely! Yak! Yak! Yak!
500th match, wow that's a lot games to play with very little to show in the trophy cabinet. Still it's all the cowardly thug deserves. Anyway he no doubt realises that he has to move to a bigger and better club if he wants to win things, alternatively he might simply lack ambition and stay with Liverpool and settle for fourth place! Although either way that looks unlikely! Yak! Yak! Yak!
Proud moment this weekend, I guess he thinks so. He would have had more success with Chelsea if only he had the bottle to move, he was warned of the consequences, it makes you wonder who is controlling the players.
AS would have had success with MUFC but he went to Blackburn, I wonder what he thinks now? If only!
So, from red hot favourities to win the EPL, to a possible 4th place, says it all about the team, the manager, the owners, when will LFC learn one or two good results if you call them that do not make a EPL wining side, consistant week in week out results against all sides is what is needed, that is plainly why only three teams have been taking the trophies.
7 you are full of it...keep gassing sunshine, its making me laff
Liverpool are w.ank .. nobody cares about what Gerrard has to say. He needs to join a big club that can match his ambitions
johnmcparland your not a true supporter just another prat who knocks a team who have been going through a difficult period ie horrendous injuries so either get behind the team or sod off!!!!!!!!
johnmcparland your not a true supporter just another prat who knocks a team who have been going through a difficult period ie horrendous injuries so either get behind the team or sod off!!!!!!!!
If they finish fourth I will show my arse in Lewis's.
Revise the targets what a crock of horse poo. Lets think what Shankley would of said especially after the 50 year aniversary of his position. Can you imagine what he would say if his captain wanted to revise his targets for this season. Please let me know your thoughts on what he might of said as a true red supporter.
If they finish fourth I will show my arse in Lewis's.
Revise the targets what a crock of horse poo. Lets think what Shankley would of said especially after the 50 year aniversary of his position. Can you imagine what he would say if his captain wanted to revise his targets for this season. Please let me know your thoughts on what he might of said as a true red supporter.
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