The Merseyside club moved to within four points of league-leaders Chelsea courtesy of a last-gasp victory over Fulham on Wednesday, with Gerrard grabbing the winning goal from the penalty spot.
Blues boss Jose Mourinho recently described his side as the “little horse” in this season’s title race and Gerrard has picked up on the equine theme to describe his side’s current status.
“We’re in the mix,” admitted Gerrard. “It’s still early days, there’s a lot of football to be played and we’re not going to get carried away. But we are in good form. We feel as if we’re dark horses.
“We just carry on playing and trying to win as many games as we can. We have the advantage, in a funny way, of no European football, because we have just got the league and FA Cup to focus on.”
At Craven Cottage on Wednesday, Liverpool twice came from behind to win 3-2, adding to an impressive run in 2014 that has seen them take 16 points from seven matches.
“We showed we’ve got talent all over the pitch; at home, with the atmosphere behind us, you don’t have to motivate yourself – you just go out and perform, and more often than not you play well,” Gerrard told the club’s official website, www.liverpoolfc.com.
“But coming away on a Wednesday night, windy, on a difficult pitch, away to Fulham is a big test for the team.
“We’ve passed it but we still have to learn from our mistakes and defend better on the road if we’re to finish in the top four places.”
Liverpool’s next game is an FA Cup fifth-round tie against Arsenal, a side who are challenging for the title themselves but who were beaten 5-1 by Brendan Rodgers’ side last weekend.
Gerrard is very aware of the threat posed by the Gunners, especially following the game at Anfield and their frustrating 0-0 home draw against Manchester United.
“Top sides, when they get beat 5-1, they are hurt,” he said. “They have just battled to a 0-0 draw against Manchester United so they have showed they have defended quite well in the game.
“We’re expecting a tight game at the Emirates and I think the 5-1 game will have no bearing on this game coming. We’re expecting a really tough game.
“It’s a break from the league and we’ll go there and give it everything we’ve got because we want a good cup run.”
Written by Steve Milne
