Steven Gerrard makes Liverpool Premier League title claim and pays tribute to Reds hero

Steven Gerrard is already looking forward to next month’s Merseyside derby against Everton as Liverpool prepare for the Premier League title run-in. The Reds currently sit 12 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table with nine games left to go.

However, Arne Slot’s side are currently on a two and a half week break from club football due to the March international break and their early FA Cup exit. Liverpool return to action at home to Everton on April 2.

The Reds and their supporters have a long time to stew over a week to forget after suffering back-to-back defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United as they exited the Champions League and lost in the League Cup final.

While Gerrard admits all eyes are on his former club’s run-in as they look to put such disappointments behind them, the Liverpool legend was able to make an Anfield return of his own during the international break.

Playing the full 90 minutes for the Legends in their 2-0 victory over Chelsea, the Reds favourite admitted it is always an impossible invite to turn down when asked to play in the annual charity match.

“I think all eyes are on the run-in, we've got a massive game coming up against Everton,” he told club media. “But during the international break when you get the invite to come and play in front of a full house, it's impossible to turn it down.

“The priority is always the foundation, raising large sums of money to support the area, to support the ex-players in need. But it can't be done without the supporters. They're coming here, paying money and it's full house, it's unbelievable.

“It wouldn't happen at any other club. Crouchy is the hero today but the main heroes are the supporters – always.”

While Gerrard has made a number of appearances for the Legends now, Peter Crouch was making his Liverpool Legends debut. And the striker marked the occasion with both goals against Chelsea after coming on as a half-time substitute.

And Gerrard admitted his former team-mate changed the game against the Londoners as he shared his disappointment at being unable to set up Crouch for a hat-trick.

“One hundred per cent. We were trying to get him the third,” he said. “Everyone was running out of energy, getting tired, but he changed the game.

“I think we played well throughout the game but we just needed a little bit of magic, a bit of inspiration from the side. The big man came on and provided it.”