Steven Gerrard expects a refreshed Liverpool to perform strongly in the second half of the season. His words serve as a warning to the rest of the Premier League, including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, that the Reds are ready to mount a top four challenge later this campaign.
The club's former captain and ex-Aston Villa boss told Liverpool.com: "Yeah, it is [like a second pre-season]. It's an opportunity to get a lot of work in on the training ground [and] reset a few things.
"I'm sure Jurgen [Klopp] and his staff are doing a lot of things tactically but [it's] also an opportunity to have a much-needed rest. They've played a lot of football over the last few years, they were involved in every competition last year. So to have a small pre-season before a ball was kicked [and then] to have this opportunity to rest and then have a second build-up, I'm hoping that Liverpool come flying out of the blocks.
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"I expect a really strong six months and finish to the season because important players have had the chance to rest and recover and the players [who have been] in the World Cup should come back full of confidence, in a good place, physically ready. I expect a really strong, exciting finish to the season for the Reds."
Reds defender Joel Matip is of a similar opinion. The Cameroon international has struggled with his own injury issues so far this year, but he's determined to hit the ground running when Liverpool return to action against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup next week.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Matip said: "It's something special to have a big break during the season like this but for us, it maybe wasn't too bad to have to get a few more players in the team, to reorganise and to get back to our strengths.
"For me especially, because I was injured, it gives me some extra time and some games. It will be tough for every team and we'll see who gets the better restart but we're looking forward to it and the team is looking good."
Asked about their poor start to the season, Matip added: "If somebody starts struggling then the voices on the outside always get louder but I have all the confidence in my teammates and the club that we are still a strong side and can beat everyone.
"I'm not in doubt about the quality of our team. People outside will speak but to be honest I don't care too much about these types of things. I trust my teammates and believe in them so I think we’re heading back where we belong."
Liverpool currently occupy sixth place in the league. Whilst they're 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal, Klopp's side are still as good as anyone on their day. Plus, as they're still in every cup competition, they're in with a shot of winning more silverware.
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