"I have confidence from looking at the last six months of last season that we can prove people wrong and break into the top four. But certain things have got to happen to help us do that and one of them is the main subject on everyone's lips – Luis Suárez. If we lose him we are taking steps backwards. If we keep him and add to him we will have a much better chance."
Liverpool have bid £21.8m for the Atlético Madrid forward Diego Costa but, with several big money targets missed out on, Gerrard insists the club cannot afford to sell Suárez, who has three years remaining on his Anfield contract. He added: "Can you imagine the reaction if the club just allowed Luis to go and to go to one of our rivals? Imagine the reaction around here if they just gave in easy. I think the club are doing the right thing by wanting to keep their best players.