Steven Gerrard believes a productive summer of transfer activity at Anfield could lead to a title charge next season.
The Liverpool skipper is frustrated the Reds never established themselves as contenders in the race this year, but he has seen enough over the past ten months to suggest Rafa Benitez is closer than ever to moulding a title-challenging squad.
"We always say this every year, but it will be an important summer because we need to keep the momentum," said Gerrard.
"The manager's signings will be important as they always are. I've been lucky as a footballer, and I've won more things that most players, but I'm greedy because I always want more – I want to win as many trophies as I can with Liverpool. That is why the summer is important.
"We are a young team with a lot of promise and if the manager can get the right support then we could take an important step forward.
"We are disappointed we didn't maintain a challenge in the league for longer than we did – the points gap between us and the top two isn't particularly pleasant viewing for anyone here at Anfield. The boss is on record as saying he wants some players, and if we get some of the ones he wants then if they can have the same impact that guys like Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel and Ryan Babel have had this year we'll have taken a step forward and a step back if we carry on playing Andriy Voronin.
"I think there is a hell of a lot more to come from us."
Gerrard also revealed he is intent on remaining with the club and realising his dream of leading the Reds to championship glory.
"I can't see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching," he said.
"I've won trophies here but there's one I’m missing and I want that before I finish playing.
"I don't want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that but first we need to beat United home and away"
The Liverpool skipper is frustrated the Reds never established themselves as contenders in the race this year, but he has seen enough over the past ten months to suggest Rafa Benitez is closer than ever to moulding a title-challenging squad.
"We always say this every year, but it will be an important summer because we need to keep the momentum," said Gerrard.
"The manager's signings will be important as they always are. I've been lucky as a footballer, and I've won more things that most players, but I'm greedy because I always want more – I want to win as many trophies as I can with Liverpool. That is why the summer is important.
"We are a young team with a lot of promise and if the manager can get the right support then we could take an important step forward.
"We are disappointed we didn't maintain a challenge in the league for longer than we did – the points gap between us and the top two isn't particularly pleasant viewing for anyone here at Anfield. The boss is on record as saying he wants some players, and if we get some of the ones he wants then if they can have the same impact that guys like Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel and Ryan Babel have had this year we'll have taken a step forward and a step back if we carry on playing Andriy Voronin.
"I think there is a hell of a lot more to come from us."
Gerrard also revealed he is intent on remaining with the club and realising his dream of leading the Reds to championship glory.
"I can't see myself ever leaving Liverpool now, and what I would dearly love is to lead this club to the next level that I believe we are capable of reaching," he said.
"I've won trophies here but there's one I’m missing and I want that before I finish playing.
"I don't want to look back and say I have never been in a title race. I can see that the team is getting stronger and stronger and I can see that we are going forward. I feel that we are getting closer and I really believe that but first we need to beat United home and away"
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