Steven Gerrard is confident that Liverpool are capable of improving on last season’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the Premier League and competing  for silverware.

The 32-year-old’s former England boss, Sven-Goran Eriksson, recently stated his belief that the only chance of the midfielder winning the Premier League would be if he left Anfield.

However, Gerrard is hopeful that the club can win the domestic crown before he retires and believes that finding consistency is key to maintaining a push for the title.

“I don’t think we’re miles away,” Gerrard told Sky Sports News. “We have to be realistic and we finished eighth in the league last year, but we got to two major cup finals which shows that we are a good team and we can compete with anyone on our day.

“If we find a better level of consistency at the club, I think we can find ourselves higher up the table than last year.

“Who knows what’s around the corner? For me, I just take each game as it comes and hopefully before I hang my boots up I can realise the dream of winning it, but I’m also realistic as well.”

The midfielder also spoke about the impact Brendan Rodgers has had at the club since taking over.

He added: “Of course it’s different. All managers are, and we have had a new coaching set-up, so there are bound to be differences, but it’s not drastic changes.

“All the managers I have worked with have tried to play the right way for the club, it’s worked out for some and it hasn’t for others. Let’s hope that it’s a bright future under Brendan.

“He has more of a continental style, he wants to us to keep the ball more with emphasis on possession and winning the ball back as quickly as we can. Let’s hope there is a bright future around the corner.”

Liverpool are in talks with Italian giants Milan over a possible loan deal for striker Andy Carroll, according to reports in Italy.

Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi’s Sport Mediaset are reporting the two clubs are negotiating a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal worth around £13.5 million [€17m].

The Merseyside club are thought to be open to letting Carroll spend the season in Italy, but are looking for an initial payment of around £2.4m [€3m], while Milan are offering around £1.2m [€1.5m].

Carroll’s future has been the subject of much speculation since new boss Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield in the summer, while Milan are in the market for a striker to fill the void left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

In recent months both West Ham and Newcastle have also expressed an interest in Carroll, who has failed to find his best form since arriving at Anfield for £35m in January last year.

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has heaped praise on 17-year-old sensation Raheem Sterling, following his impressive full league debut against Manchester City on Sunday.

The retired striker believes the starlet has the potential to be as good as some of the Reds’ greatest ever wingers and hopes Sterling could eventually be spoken of in the same breath. 

Aldridge also challenged Stewart Downing to regain his place in the side after losing his spot to Sterling for the visit of the champions.

“Over the years our club has had some very special wingers,” the 53-year-old said in his column for The Liverpool Echo. 

“From Billy Liddell to Peter Thompson, Steve Heighway, Ian Callaghan, John Barnes and Steve McManaman. It’s been a while since we’ve had anyone in that bracket but hopefully in time Sterling will prove he deserves to be mentioned alongside those names.

“He certainly has the potential. I want to see him play week in week out now and I believe the winger is going to get better and better.

“Stewart Downing will have got a fright after losing his place to a kid. He’s got to knuckle down and try to get back in.”

Aldridge also lamented Liverpool’s defensive lapses, which cost the Reds all three points at Anfield on Sunday.

However, he was encouraged by the performance in general following the previous weekend’s 3-0 loss to West Brom – and said Brendan Rodgers and his charges can look forward to a successful season.

He added: “Liverpool deserved more on Sunday but if we keep playing like that – and tighten up at the back – then I’m optimistic about what we can achieve this season.

“We can certainly be happier than we felt after the opening weekend of the new season.”