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Gerrard: Success is close

Melbourne - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said on Wednesday he believes success is just around the corner for the Merseyside club, and urged the team's owners to keep backing manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds have not won the English title for more than 20 years, struggling in recent times to stay in touch with cashed-up Premier League rivals Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal.

But 33-year-old Gerrard, who last week signed a new two-year contract extension with the club, said he was confident the glory days of old were again close for the five-time European champions.

"Is success around the corner... I hope so," the England captain told The Australian newspaper ahead of Liverpool's match against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday evening.

Gerrard, who has been at Liverpool since he was a young boy and has seen managers come and go, said he had nothing but praise for Rodgers, who assumed the role last season and has started to slowly turn around the club's fortunes.

"We have a great relationship," he said.

"He has shown a lot of faith in me both on and off the field. It is early days, but I am sure our relationship will continue to grow.

"We are moving in the right direction. We are playing nice football and hopefully the owners continue to back him and he is able to add to the squad to make it stronger so we can compete for trophies."

Gerrard told the newspaper he has confidence that he and his team-mates can deliver. "We have bought well in the off-season and if we can get another two players in key areas then we have a good chance," he said.

Rodgers has already brought in four players since the end of last season - Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, Manchester City defender Kolo Toure, Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas, and Barcelona B midfielder Luis Alberto.

He is still on the lookout for more, although questions remain over the future of Luis Suarez, with reports in the British media overnight that Liverpool has turned down a second, increased bid of 40 million ($61 million) from Arsenal for the Uruguay striker.

Gerrard said he had been talking to Suarez in Melbourne and continued to remind him that there is "a lot of love" for him from the club, the players and the fans.

"He is still a Liverpool player," he said.

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