Football - Chelsea v Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - Stamford Bridge - 10/5/15 Liverpool's Steven Gerrard is applauded off by Chelsea fans (Photo: Reuters)
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard urged the club to look to the future after their Champions League hopes all but evaporated following a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday.
Gerrard headed in an equaliser after his former England colleague John Terry opened the scoring in the fifth minute at Stamford Bridge, but the result left Liverpool six points below the Premier League top four with only two games to play.
Gerrard, 34, will leave Anfield for the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, but he said that despite Brendan Rodgers's side coming up short, there were plenty of grounds for optimism.
"I think now this team's got to prepare for next year," he told Sky Sports.
"We wanted to make a statement with our performance today. Unfortunately we didn't win the game, but we've shown that with a few additions we can compete next year.
"We've shown we've come up a bit short. I think it's important the lads get some rest, the owners try and dig deep and help Brendan out.
"There's a great core of players here. This league is getting more and more difficult every year. We lost (Luis) Suarez (to Barcelona), we haven't had Daniel Sturridge (due to injury). It's been tough."
Liverpool granted newly crowned champions Chelsea a guard of honour prior to kick-off and Gerrard, who twice nearly joined the west London club, said it had been an unpleasant moment.
"It's not nice, the guard of honour, but Chelsea have won the league," he said. "They deserved it, but it wasn't nice doing it."
'I'LL MISS HIM'
Gerrard was baited by Chelsea's fans throughout the game and although he was granted a standing ovation from the home supporters when he was substituted late on, he played down their gesture.
"Chelsea fans have shown me respect for a couple of seconds, but slaughtered me all day," he said.
"What's important is the support from the Liverpool fans. They've been with me from day one."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho revealed before the match that he had tried to sign Gerrard for Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and he said that he was sad to see the 34-year-old go.
"To get an ovation at Stamford Bridge is special for Steven Gerrard," Mourinho said. "We have lots of respect for the top guys. I will miss him."
Gerrard returned the compliment, saying: "I have huge respect for him. He's the best manager in the world in my opinion.
"I would have signed for him on three occasions if I wasn't such a big Liverpool fan. He's the reason my head was turned on a couple of occasions.
"But he knew why I couldn't do it, because I love Liverpool Football Club. It always means more when you win for your people."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said: "I think he's been a thorn in the side of Chelsea supporters because they know he's got star quality, but I think they recognised today the end of an era, of a special player."
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