Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool's players haven't been good enough this season.
In a hard-hitting interview with Zoo Magazine, the England midfielder refused to make any excuses for the mess Liverpool have been in during a desperately disappointing campaign. Instead, he believes the players must take responsibility - and put things right.
"People have said our position is puzzling after last season's success. It’s not puzzling at all. The table never lies - we haven't been good enough," a brutally frank Gerrard explained.
"We are in this position for a reason and it tells us that we really haven’t been good enough - and the players have to take responsibility for that.
"All us Liverpool players have got to look at our league position, roll our sleeves up and get this football club back where it belongs – as far up the table as possible."
But while the Anfield skipper feels it is a chance lost, he argued that now is not the time for the Reds' players to feel sorry for themselves, and instead they have to stand up and be counted.
"It has been hard to take this season, yes. We’re all very disappointed with the way things have gone, especially after finishing second last campaign," he added.
"There was a big belief we could go all the way. But now is not the time for hiding. We have to look at ourselves and put it right.
"We must aim for the top four - and that is something big to play for still. It’s a priority now, as it always is at this club – for financial reasons and because all top players want to play in the Champions League, me included.
"I still think we can turn the corner. As captain, I’ve got to make sure that happens. It’s fine looking at why it’s happening, but we need to put it right on the pitch."
