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Steven Gerrard is warning his Liverpool teammates that they need to be aiming for the Champions League quarterfinals at least after the club returned to Europe's elite. - Kelly: Excitement builds as the Reds return to Europe's top table
- Liverpool are top dark horse to win the Champions League, says Scholes The captain is desperate for Brendan Rodgers' side to make a big impact on the competition he won with the club in 2005 and is seeking to make up for the painful years he endured having to watch their Premier League rivals compete on the biggest stage. Gerrard admitted to feeling envious of teams such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in Europe in recent years and is determined not to have to do so again. "When you aren't involved, there is a big jealousy," Gerrard told the Daily Mail after Liverpool spent five years on the Champions League sidelines. "It's the best competition to play in at club level. There's a hole there when you are out of it. "We understand that we are not one of the favourites. There are some big hitters that people will be tipping to win it, but the message from me, as captain of this team, is that we are not making up the numbers. No way. "We have got such a big advantage over two legs, with Anfield, that other teams haven't got. Let me tell you right now: you come to Anfield, you're getting a terribly hard 90 minutes. And we are going to make it even harder for you. "I've got a lot of confidence in Brendan and in the squad. If we go out in the group stages, or the last 16, we will be majorly, majorly disappointed. We want to progress. We want to go as far as we can. "This can't be a one-off. This can't be, 'Isn't it great where we are?' This isn't a reward for finishing second last year. This is where Liverpool should be -- and should be consistently. It's the responsibility of myself and the players to give it our best crack. "When you are consistently getting to the latter stages and popping up in finals, it was such an unbelievable achievement. But I've got confidence that might not be too far away, if the owners continue to back Rodgers as they have done."
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