Reds Legend Doubts Liverpool's Chances

Former Liverpool defender Alan Kennedy feels the club could struggle to finish in the top six again this time, following the Reds' disappointing start to the new season.

Brendan Rodgers' side are yet to win a league match this term and were held to a 1-1 draw at Sunderland at the weekend. Liverpool are 17th on the table after managing just two points from four games - their worst start in the league since 1911.

"Top six would be great I think, but whether we can do that this season remains to be seen. It was always going to be a difficult start to the season, we've got the European games and we've had a difficult start with Man City, Arsenal and of course Man United [next week]," ESPN quoted Kennedy as saying.

"But we are seeing improvement all the time, it was a good performance by the lads [against Sunderland], noticeable that [Pepe] Reina didn't have that many shots to save in the second half. It's all about cutting edge and putting the ball in the back of the net and we couldn't do that," the 58 year old pointed out.

Liverpool had an underwhelming conclusion to the transfer window as they failed to bring in a replacement for striker Andy Carroll, who joined West Ham United on a season-long loan on deadline day.

"We've got to get on with it, we've got to do well until January when hopefully the manager has a couple of players he wants to bring into the club," Kennedy added.

The former left back was part of the Reds' squad from 1978 to 1985 and won four league [First Division] titles and two Champions League [European Cup] crowns during his time at Anfield. Kennedy made 251 league appearances for the club during his seven-year stay at Merseyside, scoring 15 goals.

Gerrard Thanks Fans for Support

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has thanked football fans across the country for their support, following the publication of the Hillsborough report, which established that the Reds' fans were not responsible for the 1989 tragedy. Liverpool's anthem - You'll Never Walk Alone - was played at several grounds across different divisions over the weekend, in memory of the 96 people who lost their lives in the disaster.

"On behalf of the club I'd like to thank everyone in the city, both Red and Blue, and everyone around the country for supporting our club and our fans. It's been mixed emotions since the report came out. We're really happy with the breakthrough but it brings back memories of all those years ago," the club Web site quoted Gerrard as saying.

"It would have been really nice to take the three points home and dedicate it to the supporters but every fan who watched that game would have been really proud of the effort the team gave," the 32 year old added.

Gerrard's 10 year old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley died at Hillsborough, when the England captain was eight.