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Steven Gerrard admits he has been “blown away” by Brendan Rodgers' style of management.

And the Liverpool skipper believes Rodgers has created a team that is capable of challenging for the Premier League title again this season.

The Reds missed out agonisingly on the crown last term, faltering in the final weeks of the campaign after a brilliant run.

But Gerrard believes their form last season shows the impact Rodgers has had since arriving on Merseyside, and says the Ulsterman's compares to any of the managers he has played under in his career.

In an interview with American network ABC, he said: "Tactically he is very clever, reacts to situations, changes things for the better, see problems and adjusts things very quickly.

"In the two years I have worked with him he is up there with the best of them and I've worked with (Rafa) Benitez, (Fabio) Capello, (Roy) Hodgson - big names.

"He can play any formation he wants to play as he knows he has the personnel and he is not scared to change formation from game to game or tinker with it as the game is going on.

"He is a players' manager, a manager you want to work hard for and win for.

"He shows the players unbelievable respect, he treats them like his own children and creates an unbelievable atmosphere to work in.

"I have been blown away by how sharp he is in the dressing room, how quick he is to see a problem."

Liverpool have made a solid start to the new campaign, winning two of their first three league matches. And Gerrard says they are desperate to land some silverware this season.

He said: "Without getting too carried away I think we are now a very good team and I think we can become excellent as there is still room for improvement.

"The rule at Liverpool is quite clear. You try to win every competition you enter.

“Brendan has been here for two years and I think he is desperate to get a trophy in the cabinet - that is goal number one.

"It is very important we maintain our place in the Champions League but after the journey we went on last year and the confidence we gained from it I think we are genuine title contenders as we have proved we can mix it with anyone in this league."

Liverpool's return to the Champions League comes after an absence of five years, and Gerrard admitted he had been “jealous” watching his rivals compete on the biggest European stage.

He added: "When you watch the Champions League and you're not involved there's jealousy and envy seeing other players play on the big stage and hearing that Champions League music.

"You are competing against the best players in Europe and it is the number one competition in the world to play in.

"It is the trophy every player dreams of winning and because of the experience I have gained over the years I was so desperate to taste it again, even if it was just one more time."