Ger sees Red

Stevie G: Fourth place at best?

Steven Gerrard has piled more pressure on beleaguered Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez by expressing his disdain at their woeful form this season.

Liverpool are currently 17 points off the pace and at best, are looking at fourth place to secure an automatic entry into next season’s Champions League.

Winning the Champions League this season could save Benitez’ job but it's a tall order for a side clearly unsettled by boardroom shenanigans and inconsistent form on the pitch.

'You don’t get any prizes for finishing in second place — never mind fourth — in football', said Ger.

'I don’t think the fans would accept it as an accomplishment and, for me, it's not nearly good enough. In the position we find ourselves in, fourth is the least that is acceptable between now and May — but we have bigger ambitions than that.'

Yep, but first the Reds have to sort out who owns the club, if they are going to move into a new stadium and if someone is going to give the vote of confidence to a talented manager, who, after all has delivered a Champions League trophy and has a long term strategy for the sleeping giant.

'I still believe we have the squad to be a hell of a lot more competitive than we are right now. I’m a Liverpool fan and I believe the league is the most important trophy going,’ added Gerrard.

'I'm pretty gutted every time I look at the table and see the gap between us and the top three.

'We believed we had the players to challenge for the title. We wanted that trophy more than any other one available to us.

'We've simply got to improve.’

Stevie G, We think the problems run a bit deeper than simply poor form.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant is also feeling the strain, with a Carling Cup final defeat and reports of training ground bust-ups, the Israeli's tenure is on shaky ground.

The Sun report that owner Roman Abramovich has shelled out big cash on a lavish Champions League winner’s party in Moscow.

Rom has paid for whole floors in Russia’s five-star hotels and reserved the finest eateries in anticipation of Grant delivering the Champions League trophy in his beloved Russia.

Guests can expect a 'Tsar's Breakfast' including Kobe beef steak, foie gras, Beluga caviar and a truffle omelette, served with champers at £400 a head as part of the very expensive hospitality.

£650 magnums of Champagne will be on tap at the Luzhniki Stadium so Abramovich and pals can toast John Terry lifting the the trophy in style.

No pressure then Avram.

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