Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard feels that their FA Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Aston Villa last month had a detrimental effect on their league form.

Gerrard scored a late winner against Queens Park Rangers on Saturday at Anfield to maintain Liverpool’s outside chance of finishing in the top four this season.




It was Liverpool’s first win in three games and with Manchester United stumbling at a crucial moment, the Reds must be ruing their missed opportunities against West Brom and Hull respectively.

The Liverpool skipper feels that those below-par performances might have been the result of their FA Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Aston Villa, which he feels had an adverse effect on their confidence.
 


However, Gerrard said that as a big club they should have dealt with that disappointment in a better way. He does though believe that the current side have enough talent in them to challenge for top honours in the next few seasons.

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"I suppose in the last couple of performances we've had a bit of a hangover from that setback”, Gerrard told the club’s official site.

"The manager has made it clear we want to finish as strong as possible, try to get maximum points in all of our remaining games and keep putting pressure on the teams above us.

"It was a big disappointment at Wembley, but when you play for a big club you've got to get over it, move on and look to the future.

“Hopefully next year this team and club can compete for all the trophies available."

With a spot in the top four still up for grabs, Liverpool will be hoping for a result when they face the champions Chelsea next Sunday at Stamford Bridge.

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