Steven Gerrard Fires Title Warning to Liverpool's Rivals

Steven Gerrard Fires Title Warning to Liverpool's Rivals

Saturday, 1 March 2014

Liverpool delivered a polished display to see off Southampton 3-0, and captain Steven Gerrard delivered a title warning to their rivals.

With Arsenal losing at Stoke and Manchester City not in league action on account of Sunday’s Capital One Cup final with Sunderland, Liverpool seized their chance to move up to second in the table.

With Liverpool having their sole focus on the Premier League, while their rivals have European and domestic cups to distract them, there is a feeling that the Merseysiders can mount a serious challenge.

The Reds were beaten at Southampton last season, but they ensured there was no repeat, with Luis Suarez scoring one goal and creating two others.

Gerrard, who was on hand to score the third from the penalty spot, feels Liverpool learned from their defeat to Saints a year ago, and the one earlier this season at Anfield, and are brimming with confidence. Asked by Sky Sports whether Liverpool had sent a message to their title rivals, Gerrard said:

“I think we have. I see Theo Walcott's in your studio today - they (Arsenal) lost today and we've won.

I'm sure there are plenty of people around the Premier League looking out for us because we've got no Europe and we're fresh for every game.

All we asked for at the beginning of the season was to be in it with 10 games to go, and we're certainly in it”

Liverpool produced a dominant display at St Mary's, and Gerrard is of the opinion that manager Brendan Rodgers should take the credit.

"We've got it wrong on this ground before,” he said. "We dropped points here last year and we learned our lessons. I think the credit has got to go to the manager. He keeps giving us the credit but he had his tactics spot on."

Liverpool have still to face Chelsea and Manchester City in the final 10 games, and Gerrard believes that the Reds’ strike partnership of Suarez and Daniel Sturridge can help them beat any team.

He said, "Chelsea and Man City are still the favourites, but we just have to keep going and try and win every game and with world-class players in the team like Suarez, you can beat anyone."