Gerrard: Frustrated by league failure

It hurts more and more not only to have never won the league, but to have never really gone close.

Steven Gerrard
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Steven Gerrard has demanded Liverpool owners splash the cash this summer to end years of Premier League pain.

Manager Rafa Benitez had been tipped to steer Liverpool to their first league title in 18 years in the 2007/08 season.

However, the Reds ended the campaign 11 points behind champions Manchester United and captain Gerrard admits that he is finding it increasingly difficult to accept his club's domestic shortcomings.

And Gerrard is now calling on Liverpool's American co- owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to supply funds to finance summer moves for the likes of Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

Hurt

Gerrard told the News of the World: "It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we're out of the title race again.

"Every year seems to be following the same routine. The time to act is now, not in January when we're already too far behind.

"The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we're all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.

"The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa - but he needs the backing to act on his plans.

Promise

"When the American owners came to Liverpool they told the players and fans they wanted the same as us.

"We all believed them when they made that promise and it's been repeated again since, so we're all desperate to see it happen."

England midfielder Gerrard - who has won the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, Uefa Cup and League Cup with Liverpool - has also revealed his desperation to add a league title to his medal collection.

"I've won every major honour at Liverpool except one," added Gerrard. "It hurts more and more not only to have never won the league, but to have never really gone close.

"That's what we want more than anything at Anfield, but we'll only achieve that when everyone is working together for the same goal."