Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has outlined his ambitions to continue Liverpool's progress towards a return to the Champions League during his tenure at Anfield.

In a radio interview with talkSPORT, the Northern Irishman also looked ahead to Saturday's visit of West Brom and paid glowing tributes to both Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge.

Read on for highlights from the manager's chat...

On the Reds' recent form...

In terms of our points, the players have made a terrific start and we've performed reasonably well. But we're always demanding to be better. We hope we can continue with the points total and keep performing.

From January, we have produced a lot of excellent performances and picked up a lot of really good results. I saw the other day that we are third in the country in terms of points over the course of this calendar year. It shows there is progress.

But there's no doubt that this is a club that needs to be at the top - it's an incredible football club with brilliant supporters. We need to show that progress and I would hope that after three years being here, certainly we would be close to a Champions League spot, even though we know how difficult that is.

On facing West Brom this weekend...

Steve Clarke has done excellently there since he has gone in. We didn't do so well against them last season. We lost our very first game in the league there and had a man sent off. The second game at Anfield was a game we could have won and ended up losing. They are very well organised, they have got some good players and they are always a tough opponent. They beat Manchester United away from home so you know it's going to be a tough game.

On Gerrard...

I've watched Steven over many years and recognised that he is a top player. But it's only when you actually come in and work with the man that you recognise how professional he is on a daily basis. This is a guy, at 33 years of age, who is still a top player. He's a wonderful talent and player, and I don't think anybody could argue against that.

On Sturridge...

He has been brilliant. He came here in January and had a point to prove. His goals to games ratio since coming here has been remarkable. When he is given the opportunity, he produces. He's a natural goalscorer but he's got so many other things to his game - his pace, his power, he's got great feet. I genuinely think, in the next couple of years, he'll show he can be one of the top strikers in Europe.