The midfielder is confident the Reds, who finished the season in style, can topple the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham to qualify for the Champions League

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes the club has the capabilities to finish in the top four next season.

Brendan Rodgers’ side finished 12 points off the Champions League spots last season, ending the campaign in seventh as they failed to qualify for European competition altogether.

However, Gerrard feels Liverpool, who lost just one of their last 13 games in 2012-13, can overhaul the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham and secure a place back among the continent’s elite clubs.

“The final five or six months of the season were fantastic, we showed fantastic form – I think it was top-four form,” Gerrard told the club’s official website.

“We certainly finished the season really strong, but we were very inconsistent from August to Christmas – that’s the reason why we never managed to achieve what we set out to do, which was a top-four finish.

“But I felt at times in the season we played some brilliant football. If we can find that level on a consistent basis, I’ve got confidence we can break into the top four.

“The realistic message is to say to the fans that the last four or five months of the season were really positive, we played well.

“If the fans get behind us and show the support that we know they can, I believe we can push into the top four. That would be a fantastic achievement if you look at the standard of the teams in this league.”

Gerrard is also quick to praise manager Rodgers, who he thinks is improving the team despite a slightly disappointing first season at Anfield.

He added: “I think the manager has done well – he’s taken a huge job on at a young age.

“I think he’s moving the team and the club forward and making good progress. If he gets the backing from the owners, and the current squad that we’ve already got improves, I’m sure we can make the fans happy.”

The Merseyside club’s latest signing insists that he is not new to competing for his spot and believes his €13 million fee does not guarantee he will start next season

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has revealed that he is relishing competing for the No.1 jersey at Anfield next season.

Brendan Rodgers’ latest €13 million signing has dismissed claims that his transfer fee means he will be next season’s starting goalkeeper and insists that he is relishing the competition with Pepe Reina and Brad Jones.

The Belgium international said: “That’s always what has happened when there’s competition, I’ve had competition in Sunderland and in Belgium with the national team.

“It’s not only Pepe – there’s a lot of good goalies at Liverpool, like Brad Jones for example – and it’s not only the position of the goalie where there is competition. It’s every single position on the field.

“There are only 11 players who can play and it is something that is normal with being a football player. You have to deal with that. Competition can only make you as an individual better and let you perform better, it can only be a positive thing.”

Mignolet also revealed that he has had discussions with the coaching staff regarding the clubs ambitions for next season.

He added: “From the talks I had with the manager and the goalkeeping coach I felt they were very ambitious and the club wants to get forward,”

“The signings they’d already done before July showed they really wanted to get going. They want to push on again in the Premier League. It was obvious that they are an ambitious club and a big club.

“I know how big a club this is but I think I’m only going to feel it once the games get going. The first few training sessions went okay. I’m very happy to be here and train.”

The Gunners were knocked back after approaching Liverpool regarding the availability of their Uruguayan striker while Manchester City’s pre-season preparations could be disrupted

ARSENAL MADE SUAREZ ENQUIRY

Mystery surrounded a flurry of bets in midweek on Luis Suarez heading to Arsenal, with bookmakers hurriedly slashing their odds and one even closing their market.

The Sweeper understands that the run of bets came after the Gunners made a speculative enquiry to Liverpool about the availability of the Uruguayan.

With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal’s history available to him this summer, manager Arsene Wenger sanctioned the shock move for Suarez.

But the north London club were knocked back by Liverpool, who issued a ‘hands-off’ warning as they fight to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move to Real Madrid.

Wenger plans to use a warchest of up to £100 million to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and midfield positions.

The Suarez enquiry is believed to have come before Arsenal made an improved bid of €27m for Gonzalo Higuain, who is closing in on a switch from Real Madrid to Emirates Stadium.

However, it seems Wenger was considering an alternative to prime targets Higuain and Wayne Rooney as he pushed for a proven, A-list striker who could be available at a good price and targeted the Liverpool hitman as a result.

The Suarez move is now on the backburner, but the Arsenal boss is pressing ahead with pursuing his interest in top-level targets, with the likes of Marouane Fellaini and Cesc Fabregas understood to still be on his hit-list, as well as Ashley s and Julio Cesar.

– Wayne Veysey

MAN CITY PRE-SEASON TOUR COULD BE CANCELLED

The failing health of Nelson Mandela could throw Manchester City’s early pre-season plans into doubt.

Manuel Pellegrini is scheduled to take his new charges to South Africa in ten days time to take part in the Nelson Mandela Football Invitational.

But the South African government are already at a high state of readiness should the inspirational leader fail to win his latest fight.

A national state of mourning would exist and numerous events cancelled.

City are set to face Supersport United in Pretoria on July 14th and AmaZulu FC in Durban on the 18th. It’s understood the organisers will keep City in the loop.

– Paul Clennam

PARENTS WANT INCE TO STAY IN NORTH-WEST

Tom Ince could be heading for south Wales if two of his principal suitors, Cardiff City and Swansea City, can secure his signing this summer.

But the Blackpool winger is holding out for a return to Liverpool, who have reignited their interest in capturing their former Academy graduate.

Ince’s parents, including father Paul, his manager at Bloomfield Road, are believed to be particularly keen on their 21-year-old son remaining in the north-west of England and close to the family’s Cheshire home.

Former England international Paul will have a big say in his son’s final destination, which he wants to be the right move both personally and professionally.

– Wayne Veysey