Gerrard in confident mood

Gerrard: Confident

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Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is confident his side will be in contention for honours this season.

The Reds have endured an indifferent start to the campaign and are currently sitting in seventh spot in the table.

However, following Tuesday's UEFA Champions League demolition of Besiktas, Gerrard is confident Liverpool can build on the victory and challenge for the top prizes this term.

Confident

"At our best we take some stopping, I don't think anyone would argue with that," Gerrard told the Daily Star.

"People have said we are out of this or struggling in that. Wrong.

"We are in the first week of November and are in a better position than we were this time last year.

"We are unbeaten in the Premier League with a game in hand on a lot of teams around us.

"Let's see where we are in May when the prizes are handed out. That's when it counts."

Meanwhile, Reds boss Rafa Benitez has called on the side to improve their home form if they want to get their title challenge back on track.

The Reds have won one and drawn four of their five Premier League games at Anfield this term and Benitez knows they must turn those draws into wins if they want to close the gap on the leading pack.

Improve

"I think the key for us this season is to improve at home, because away I think the team has confidence. But at home we have had some draws and it is clear we need to start winning," said Benitez.

Benitez expects Fulham to pose a stiffer test to his side than Besiktas and he is wary of the threat posed by Lawrie Sanchez's men.

"In the Premier League you do not see easy games, so it will be a tough one," added Benitez. "Normally it is more physical so we will try to use our quality.

"They are scoring some goals. When you are at the bottom end of the table and you are scoring goals, it means you must be conceding goals, but also that you are dangerous in attack.

"For us especially on the counter attack we need to be aware."