Steven Gerrard: Liverpool Are Underdogs in Title Race
Steven Gerrard claims Liverpool are the underdogs in the title race following their 3-0 victory against Southampton in the Premier League last Saturday.
The Reds' skipper was on target from the penalty spot after strikes from Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling had given the away side a two-goal lead at St Mary's Stadium.
The result allowed the Merseyside club to go second in the league table, level with Arsenal on 59 points after 28 matches.
Liverpool currently trail leaders Chelsea by four points and are in contention to win their first league title since 1990. However, the England international urges his teammates to not get carried away by their recent form and has called for composure in the remaining 10 matches till the end of the campaign.
"There are other big teams fighting for the title and I wouldn't say we are the favourites. In fact we are the underdogs. But confidence is high and with 10 games to go we're in a great position. We have given ourselves a chance," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.
"It was nice to hear the fans singing about us being in the title race. But for us as players it's just a case of staying calm and relaxed. We can't get carried away. We are in the race, we have no other distractions and we believe we can compete for it, but there is still a long way to go," he said.
Brendan Rodgers' side are unbeaten in the league this year and have won seven out of nine matches played since New Year. They are yet to face title contenders Manchester City and Chelsea; top four aspirants Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Liverpool's next league opponents are arch rivals Manchester United. Gerrard believes the team needs to concentrate and build on the positive aura the Northern Irishman has created in the dressing room.
"We've got some really important and difficult games coming up and we need to be focused. But there's a great togetherness in this team. The spirit in the dressing room is something the manager has created," the 33-year-old said.
"There is a lot of belief in the team. Games like the win at Southampton, coupled with what we've done at home recently to the likes of Everton and Arsenal, have fuelled that belief," he concluded.
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