Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard backs Brendan Rodgers' EPL title prediction

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (in red)

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is reluctant to admit that Liverpool could be in the Premier League title race after moving six points behind leaders Chelsea after their resounding win over Arsenal.

The Reds demolished Arsenal, who were the league leaders at kick-off, but 20 minutes into the match, the Gunners were 4-0 down after Liverpool ran riot.

Gerrard played a key role in Liverpool’s win that moved them ever closer to the top three of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, after the match, Gerrard refused to admit that his club were in the thick of a title battle.

“According to Brendan, we are not [in the title race],” he said. “Ask the manager [why not]. Listen, he said we are not, so we are all behind Brendan.

“We do what he says and he says we are not in the title race, so we carry on pushing for the top four and see where it takes us.”

On the quality of the win over Arsenal, the England captain added: “I am trying to think back of a performance – especially in the first half – that I can remember in the last 15 years.

“Maybe one or two in the Champions League got close but that was as explosive as it gets. That is right up there: definitely in the top three performances I have been involved in.

“You are talking about a side that is top of the league with world-class players, ones who are worth £42million; Jack Wilshere, one of the country’s big hopes who we are looking to perform at a World Cup; (Santi) Cazorla – a World Cup winner.

“We have absolutely demolished a top team there, from start to finish.”