Steven Gerrard today insisted he will use the disappointment of narrowly missing out on the Barclays Premier League to drive him on when the new campaign kicks off in August.
The Reds play their final away game of the season at West Brom today in the knowledge they can no longer catch Manchester United at the top of the table.
Gerrard has nothing but admiration for the way his teammates have maintained their pursuit of Alex Ferguson's men until the penultimate weekend of the season, and he believes the experience gained during the dramatic run-in should leave the Reds believing they can take the final step to glory next year.
"I'll have certain regrets when the season ends but I don't normally like looking back, to be honest," he said. "This time I'm going to use the experience to drive me on and try to win the title over the next few years. We certainly have the ability, as we've shown this year.
"It's a hard league to win and it's taught me that you do need the experience of being in title races to win them. I think because Chelsea and United both have that experience, maybe that's where we've come unstuck.
"Sometimes you just have to go for it and take big risks to win the kind of games that we have drawn. But we've learned a lot and I think next year could be our year - I'm really confident about that."
Gerrard insists Rafa Benitez's decision to pen a new Anfield contract played a major role in the Reds' charge towards top spot - and now he's looking forward to seeing what reinforcements the boss brings in over the summer.
"Rafa signing has definitely had an impact," said Gerrard. "If you see our form and the way we have played since he signed the new deal, it has given everyone a big lift and that is what this club is all about - togetherness.
"We don't like picking up the papers and reading about Liverpool involved in off-the-field stuff like contracts, owners and negotiations.
"I have been involved in that myself and it's not what we want here. We want togetherness, continuity - and that will bring out the best in the team.
"The couple of signings the manager will make this summer are really key to us getting over that final hurdle, because we know that maybe with a couple of per cent more we could have won it this time.
"This is the first time I've been involved in a title race that has lasted the distance and the buzz of running United really close has been so enjoyable that I want more of it."
And does Gerrard forsee himself playing as a second striker behind Fernando Torres again next year?
"I hope so because I've loved playing this role behind Fernando Torres this season," he admitted.
"Credit must go to the manager because he's seen the strengths of my game and has utilised them to the benefit of the team. Fernando has also been key to that.
"He stretches defenders, he's very direct and he runs in behind, which gives me a lot of space behind him. And with two holding midfielders behind me it gives me licence to do what I like doing, which is bursting forward and getting into attacking positions. I've had to work at certain roles and the manager has helped me not be selfish and only want to play in one position.
"If I was to say 'no, I only want to play in this position' I could find myself on the bench for England and not playing the way I want to at Liverpool. Rafa has told me to learn to play in different positions. I'm benefiting from that now."
glad to hear it
The Reds play their final away game of the season at West Brom today in the knowledge they can no longer catch Manchester United at the top of the table.
Gerrard has nothing but admiration for the way his teammates have maintained their pursuit of Alex Ferguson's men until the penultimate weekend of the season, and he believes the experience gained during the dramatic run-in should leave the Reds believing they can take the final step to glory next year.
"I'll have certain regrets when the season ends but I don't normally like looking back, to be honest," he said. "This time I'm going to use the experience to drive me on and try to win the title over the next few years. We certainly have the ability, as we've shown this year.
"It's a hard league to win and it's taught me that you do need the experience of being in title races to win them. I think because Chelsea and United both have that experience, maybe that's where we've come unstuck.
"Sometimes you just have to go for it and take big risks to win the kind of games that we have drawn. But we've learned a lot and I think next year could be our year - I'm really confident about that."
Gerrard insists Rafa Benitez's decision to pen a new Anfield contract played a major role in the Reds' charge towards top spot - and now he's looking forward to seeing what reinforcements the boss brings in over the summer.
"Rafa signing has definitely had an impact," said Gerrard. "If you see our form and the way we have played since he signed the new deal, it has given everyone a big lift and that is what this club is all about - togetherness.
"We don't like picking up the papers and reading about Liverpool involved in off-the-field stuff like contracts, owners and negotiations.
"I have been involved in that myself and it's not what we want here. We want togetherness, continuity - and that will bring out the best in the team.
"The couple of signings the manager will make this summer are really key to us getting over that final hurdle, because we know that maybe with a couple of per cent more we could have won it this time.
"This is the first time I've been involved in a title race that has lasted the distance and the buzz of running United really close has been so enjoyable that I want more of it."
And does Gerrard forsee himself playing as a second striker behind Fernando Torres again next year?
"I hope so because I've loved playing this role behind Fernando Torres this season," he admitted.
"Credit must go to the manager because he's seen the strengths of my game and has utilised them to the benefit of the team. Fernando has also been key to that.
"He stretches defenders, he's very direct and he runs in behind, which gives me a lot of space behind him. And with two holding midfielders behind me it gives me licence to do what I like doing, which is bursting forward and getting into attacking positions. I've had to work at certain roles and the manager has helped me not be selfish and only want to play in one position.
"If I was to say 'no, I only want to play in this position' I could find myself on the bench for England and not playing the way I want to at Liverpool. Rafa has told me to learn to play in different positions. I'm benefiting from that now."
glad to hear it
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