Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has responded to Steven Gerrard’s views that the Merseyside club need to win the Premiership sooner rather than later, saying that everyone at the club shares the skipper’s sentiments.

The Reds, who last won the Premiership title 18 years ago, started the current season in a confident manner and seemed that they would be in contention. However, they were surrounded by various off-the-field speculation and at the same time, the Reds also lost their form and suffered some ordinary results. As such, Benitez’s side are currently 17 points behind leaders, Arsenal in the league.

Gerrard, revealing his frustration at not being in the title race, had said on the club’s website: "We can't keep talking about next season all the time. There are only so many times you can say it and believe it. I'm 27 and don't want to be talking about next season for Liverpool when I'm 32."

"Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments. We wanted to be further up the table and the fact we are not is a disappointment to everyone," said Benitez in the Mirror.