Stevie: Medals over milestones

The skipper, who is at the peak of his fitness after a successful summer tour that followed a minor shoulder injury, realises he is set to beat Alex Raisbeck's record of holding the captaincy at Anfield for 10 years - but the 33-year-old is concentrating on winning silverware and helping the Reds to a higher league finish in the 2013-14 campaign rather than any individual accolades.

Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo: "I realised it was coming up to 10 years as captain.

"As I have gone along I have made certain personal achievements which are nice and they are good bonuses to what you really want out of the game.

"But my main focus is achieving stuff with the team. My focus now is to try and win a couple of trophies before I hang my boots up and try to get this club back in the Champions League.

"They are my main priorities and I'm feeling good. The operation wasn't serious, it was basically a little bit more than keyhole surgery to fix a tear in my shoulder.

"I was playing with it for three or four months but it was getting worse and worse. I think I made the right decision going in a few weeks earlier because it has meant I can get a full pre-season under my belt.

"If you get that full six-week pre-season in then if you get any niggles throughout the season you have your base.

"It's a big season, especially with the World Cup next summer."

A driving force in the team for years, the inspirational leader has carried a huge weight of expectation at Anfield but Gerrard revels in the challenge of meeting the Kop's demands.

"I think that pressure helps with your own performances and your own form because you are always striving for the top," the captain added.

"When you have that relationship you don't want to let the fans down. You want to maintain a high standard every time you go out and play.

"But it also has the other effect, too. It's tough.

"Liverpool fans are a tough crowd - the expectations and what they demand from players every single game, whether it be the third round of the Carling Cup or the Champions League final, you are expected to perform at the same level.

"They are only ever happy when they win.

"It does come with pressures and demands but I wouldn't want it any other way.

"I don't think I would enjoy it if I played at a club where there wasn't the same demands and pressures. That's what I enjoy: big games and big pressure situations."

The midfield general has eased into the deeper role that Brendan Rodgers began deploying him in last year but insists he can still surge forward in his trademark powerful forays.

Gerrard continued: "I think it will be mixed up depending on what formation Brendan decides to play.

"He does alter his midfield three. Sometimes he plays with a single pivot and two advanced, sometimes he plays with two controllers and one in front.

"What is good from my point of view is that I can probably play both roles.

"Whatever the manager asks I'll try to do it.

"Roy Hodgson has been playing me a lot deeper for England as well. Both roles are quite similar which suits me."

Looking ahead to Rodgers' second season in charge of the Reds, Gerrard is optimistic that Liverpool can compete for Champions League places, following further strengthening of the squad after a highly encouraging end to last season.

"The form we showed from January onwards gives me confidence we can compete for the top four," the skipper concluded.

"The manager went on record saying the signings he's made so far were to strengthen the squad and give us more strength in depth.

 "There is certainly the basis here for a top team and we have a good manager who has got us playing the right way."

To mark the Liverpool captain's testimonial this weekend, the Steven Gerrard Foundation is auctioning 630 commemorative LFC shirts to raise money for charity. Click here to find out more.