Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes that his team are heading into the new Premier League season as genuine title contenders.

The Reds eventually finished runners-up last season as they fell short to eventual champions Manchester City on the final day of the campaign, but the captain thinks that the squad can end their 25-year wait next term.

He told the club's official website: "I think the fans will agree with me that the performance levels last season were incredible. Some of our performances were top-drawer.

"I believe we are in a much better place now than we were this time last year. The reason being because we've got the taste, the know-how and the experience of being in a title race. If we can use the hurt of falling short last season in our favour then hopefully we can go one better.

"I think this is the first time in a long time that I can be confident of telling people that we are the real deal and are real title contenders before a ball has been kicked."

Liverpool begin their new campaign with a visit of Southampton on August 17.