Gerrard happy to be underdogs

Reds skipper hoping to silence doubters

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 28th January 2009

Steven Gerrard remains confident that Liverpool can upset the odds this season and take the Premier League title.

The Reds have not taken the top-flight crown for 19 years, but remain well placed to end that drought this term.

They
have surrendered top spot to arch-rivals Manchester United in recent
weeks, with precious points dropped in consecutive draws with Stoke and
Everton.

Some critics have begun to question whether Rafa
Benitez's side are capable of lasting the distance, with experienced
heads such as United, Chelsea and Arsenal expected to prevail in the
end.

Gerrard, though, has welcomed the underdog tag that has been
placed on the club and believes it will serve as an added incentive to
a squad desperate to bring domestic glory back to Merseyside.

Setbacks

"Are we out of the title race? No, we're not," the Reds skipper told the Liverpool Echo.

"If anything, the couple of setbacks we've had lately just make us even more determined to get back on track.

"We're
nobody's favourites for the Premier League title but we don't really
care. We're in the mix and that's where you want to be.

"We've got a great chance this season - probably the best in my time in the first team - and we believe in ourselves.

"There's
a lot of pressure that comes with being in our position but we think we
can cope with that. We're confident we can match United and Chelsea
stride for stride and then see what happens in the closing stages of
the campaign."