'Double can make 11-12 a success'
Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's season could be rightly deemed a successful one if they're able to clinch the FA Cup against Chelsea on Saturday.
The skipper admits the Reds have not been at their best in the Barclays Premier League this term, but insists winning further silverware to add to the Carling Cup would make 2011-12 a victorious campaign.
Gerrard told a pre-FA Cup final press conference at Anfield: "It'd be a successful season and that's what this club is all about - winning big trophies. The FA Cup certainly comes under that.
"We'll assess the season after the weekend and if we can look back and say we've won two cups, we'll be happy but of course we still need to address the problem of our league position.
"It's what we play the game for – that's what we love. Some of the biggest experiences we've had over the years have been winning cups – the European Cup, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup.
"They're the nights when you're successful that you look back upon with fond memories.
"I think people will judge us after Saturday. People will say, 'You haven't done well in the league', but we'll say 'Yeah, but we've won two cups.' I think it's a fair argument."
If Liverpool can clinch the domestic cup double, Gerrard believes the confidence gained will help them bring further glory back to Anfield in future seasons.
He continued: "The FA Cup is special altogether, but we certainly got a taste of success in winning the Carling Cup and that will help the younger players in the squad, and everybody really.
"Winning big trophies breeds a lot of confidence and belief. It gives you that taste of success and makes you want more – and that's what we want on Saturday.
"We're all aware we've underachieved in the league. The squad of players we've got are certainly better than where we are.
"We'll assess the season at the end and if we can win two trophies that can certainly help us bring some more success next year."
Gerrard is set to join Jamie Carragher in making his 10th appearance in a major final for Liverpool on Saturday.
And the 31-year-old admits he and his long-time teammate will feel a sense of responsibility to assist the younger members of the squad.
"It's my, Jamie and the other senior players' responsibility to help the young lads," said Gerrard. "It's certainly not new to us – we've played on the big stage many, many times and hopefully those experiences will help us on Saturday."
The FA Cup final will be Liverpool's third appearance at the new Wembley this season – but Gerrard feels that will have little bearing on what unfolds at the national stadium this Saturday evening.
He said: "I don't think it'll make a difference on Saturday. Chelsea are an experienced team full of quality players. I think it'll boil down to the small details on the day, who gets the big decisions and who gets that little stroke of luck.
"I don't think there is much between the teams. You've got two good sides and I think it's a 50/50 game this weekend."
Another factor Gerrard feels will have negligible influence on the outcome of the Cup final is Chelsea's pursuit of a top-four finish and their participation in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich later this month.
"I'm sure the Chelsea players won't be thinking about Champions League and top four once the game kicks off, but I suppose if anything it helps us slightly," he reflected.
"We can't do much in the league and we've got nothing else going on, so we can solely focus on this game – but I don't think it'll be a massive difference."
Meanwhile, journalists asked Gerrard for his thoughts on the appointment of Roy Hodgson as England manager on a four-year deal.
He said: "I think it's a good appointment. I think all the candidates that the media were talking about as in the running for the England manager's job were all good candidates.
"Roy's a good manager. I've worked with him before. I think he took the Liverpool job at the wrong time, but my opinion on Roy hasn't changed before he got the job, whilst he had the job, and after it.
"He was very good tactically, very thorough. A great guy, very loyal and honest to the players – and that's all you ask for.
"Like any other England manager, Roy will be judged on results, so we'll have to see how he goes – but I am certainly looking forward to working with him again and I think it's a good appointment."