Gerrard: We've sent out a message
Steven Gerrard believes another accomplished performance from Liverpool has not only put the club in a commanding position but also placed added pressure on their Barclays Premier League rivals.
The Reds recorded a 3-0 victory against Southampton at St Mary's on Saturday, a ground that has been notoriously difficult for the team, with a tactically astute exhibition centred on industry at the back and efficiency going forward.
Gerrard, who converted a late penalty to round off the triumph after earlier strikes from Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling, credited manager Brendan Rodgers for the resounding result.
"We've got it wrong on this ground before," the skipper told Sky Sports.
"We learned our lesson from last season and he keeps giving players the credit, but Brendan Rodgers must get the credit today. He got our tactics spot on."
The Reds boss started with Joe Allen in place of Sterling, in order to bolster midfield and play with a diamond in the centre of the park.
In the opening stages of the second period, the Northern Irishman then brought on the in-form 19-year-old - a change that hampered Southampton's tempo and, conversely, increased Liverpool's.
"The idea was for us to play a bit longer today, try and beat their press," explained Gerrard.
"We wanted to leave two-v-two up top and if teams want to play two-v-two against these two [Suarez and Daniel Sturridge], then good luck to them."
When asked if Rodgers' tactical acumen has been one of the club's big assets this season, the captain agreed. "Yes," he said. "That's what the best managers do. We got it wrong here last year and we maybe got it wrong against them earlier this season when they beat us at Anfield.
"We've made mistakes and tried to change things. We went with a diamond today and it was hard at times in the first half against a good team with good players, but I thought we were superb defensively and always dangerous on the counter."
The 33-year-old was quizzed as to whether Liverpool have delivered a message to their closest rivals, and he had no hesitation in his response: "I think we have. I see Theo Walcott in your studio today, they've [Arsenal] lost and we won.
"We've got many teams in the Premier League looking out for us because we have no Europe and are fresh going into every game."
With the Reds second in the standings on goal difference, the talisman could not avoid talk of a title tilt, but maintained a level head.
"All we ask at the start of the season is: 'Can we be in it with 10 games to go?' We're certainly in it," admitted Gerrard. "We're still not the favourites, I think Chelsea and Manchester City are.
"We just need to keep going and win every game, and with world-class players like [Suarez] that we have, we can beat anyone."
Gerrard previously stated that this season is a glorious chance for Liverpool to clinch the league crown. Is that feeling growing?
He responded: "If we keep winning, it's going to grow. But it's just important to stay calm, and focus on each game as it comes.
"I know it's a cliché, but it's all we can do. We don't have the experience, but we have a lot of good things going for us as well."