Gerrard calls on feuding owners to back Benitez with cash

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has called on the club's feuding owners to back manager Rafa Benitez with cash so the Reds can match their biggest rivals in the league title race.

Since Liverpool last captured the title in 1990, Manchester United has won the championship 10 times, Arsenal four times and Chelsea twice, which has come become an embarrassment to the record 18-time champion.

That means that Gerrard, whose team finished fourth in the Premier League and 11 points behind winner United, has not experienced the euphoria of a league title triumph despite sharing in the Reds' Champions League, UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup successes.

"Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for (a title challenge)," Gerrard said Tuesday. "I believe in this team and this manager, and believe we can make it happen.

"But (Benitez) does assure me and the other players that, if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side, then he will go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well," Gerrard said.

"This is a tough league to win. We are strengthening all the time, working as hard as any other team. But sometimes you have to realize there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us."

Gerrard has been with the club since he joined as a teenager and has played a major part in the club's other triumphs. But he knows how strong the fans feel about not winning the league title.

"It has been a long time for this club, so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10 percent," he said.

"If we can make the team a little bit stronger, have a few more options and match-winners, and make the team a tiny bit better defensively, we can do it."

Sapa-AP