Gerrard calls for Liverpool unity

Gerrard has called for unity at Liverpool (GETTY IMAGES)

Steven Gerrard has demanded a united front as Liverpool seek the top-four finish required to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League group stages on Tuesday night despite a 1-0 win over Debrecen in Budapest and have lost five Barclays Premier League fixtures in the opening 13 games this season. It is two more defeats than they suffered in the whole of the 2008/09 campaign.

But despite the poor start to the season, Gerrard, who has recovered from a groin problem and will lead his seventh-placed side into the 212th Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday, maintains everyone is still working in unison towards attaining Champions League football next term.

The captain told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We are all aware the season is not going the way we would want it to and we are really disappointed to have gone out of the Champions League.

"We are far from happy with our form in the Premier League as well but the only way to turn things around is by sticking together.

"We have shown in the past what we can achieve when we stick together and if there is one positive about the difficult time we have been having, it is that we have all pulled together.

"The manager, the staff and the players are all working as hard as we can to try and get the improvement we have been looking for.

"It will not be easy, as we have given ourselves plenty to do, but we still have the confidence and belief that we can finish in the top four."

Gerrard believes Liverpool's plight can only improve as the numerous injuries which have plagued their season so far start to ease.

He added: "Getting some of our injured players back playing regularly will make a big difference and give everyone a boost but the key now is to keep working together.

"We owe it to the club, ourselves and most importantly to our fans, as their support has been magnificent at a time when things have not gone as well as we would all like."