Gerrard: A few wins will lift gloom

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits there is 'a bit of doom and gloom' around Anfield - but insists it is far too early to panic.

The Reds are currently languishing in 16th spot in the Premier League after just one win in their opening five games.

Their misery was compounded by the humiliating Carling Cup defeat to League Two side Northampton in midweek to set the alarm bells ringing around Anfield.

Gerrard insists it is too early to judge the new-look side and is confident a few good results will lift the doom and gloom surrounding the club.

"There's a bit of doom and gloom about that goes with a few negative results," Gerrard admitted. "We've had them against Manchester United and going out against Northampton. But we've only had one seventh of the season, so it's crazy to panic.

"The important thing is to stay together. Two or three good, positive results will change the mood, lifts the cloud and then everyone will be looking forward again.

"I don't think you can judge your position in the league until you've played 10 or 12 games. Yeah, we have five points and have already lost a couple of games, but if we string three wins together in this league, you're back in there for the European places.

"Let's just take a deep breath and assess the situation 10 or 12 games in."

Gerrard remains confident that Liverpool will improve in time as Roy Hodgson continues his reshaping of the team.

"Of course it's been a tough week," added Gerrard. "But I'm looking at the big picture. There has been a change of manager, a change of coaching staff, also physical as well as technical and it's going to take time to get the new ideas and methods over to the lads.

"So the message from me to the Liverpool supporters and the people out there is just be patient a bit longer and I'm sure the picture will brighten up in the coming weeks."

Gerrard also conceded a title bid is probably out of the reach with fourth spot their top target as they look to regain their place back in the UEFA Champions League.

"A realistic target is to try to get back in the top four. Winning the title, of course, is a possibility because there's a chance it can happen," noted Gerrard. "But realistically, our focus is to finish in the top four.

"If we finish first, second or third, fantastic, great, and we certainly won't give up on that, we'll fight all the way to the end.

"But at the start of the season, you have targets and from a realistic point of view, after finishing seventh last season, our target was always to get back in the top four."

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