Gerrard says best is yet to come in landmark season

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes he has yet to find his best form in a season already littered with statistical highlights for the star midfielder.

Gerrard has been on the field for every minute of Liverpool's 21 Premier League games this season, scoring four goals.

Three of those goals have come in the 32-year-old England captain's past five league appearances, a sign that he thinks his performances are coming up to scratch.

"I've had mixed experiences this season," Gerrard told Liverpool FC magazine. "I've passed some unbelievable landmarks for club and country, getting to the 600-games mark and winning my 100th cap for England.

"But with the slow start we made and being where we have in the league it's been a bit mixed for me.

"There's my form as well. I've played well in some games but I've been disappointed with myself in others and I'm not happy with my goal tally at the moment.

"People's opinions, perceptions and the way they judge you change when you get a goal.

"I think my performances are getting closer to where I want them to be, so if I can add goals to those performances then maybe people will start saying the old Steven Gerrard is back."

During the past couple of seasons Gerrard has found himself operating in a deeper role, with the likes of Jonjo Shelvey and Jordan Henderson taking up more attacking positions.

But he insisted he had no problems with manager Brendan Rodgers' tactics.

"I don't think the manager's asked me to do anything different in terms of the way he wants to me to perform," Gerrard said.

"But because of certain injuries, situations that have happened to the team and formations that we've played, I've naturally played a little bit deeper.

"I've maybe gone into protection mode rather than playing the old Steven Gerrard way with the shackles off and going for the jugular.

"When you're one of the experienced players in the team, the team's more important than yourself and maybe I've sacrificed myself in certain games and tried to protect by playing deeper and be a controller with Joe (Allen).

"But now that Lucas (Leiva) is back he gives me the license to get forward a lot more so hopefully I can add some goals to my performances.

"I've got the buzz that the team's improving and it's going to get better.

"I'm confident that come the end of the season I will be satisfied with myself and the team because I do believe we can finish the season really strong."

(China Daily 01/10/2013 page23)