Gerrard in the form to conquer world

Liverpool 3 Aston Villa 1

Anyone who witnessed the Anfield captain destroying poor Aston Villa will understand where the Reds boss is coming from.

Villa, who somehow found themselves level with a Gareth Barry equaliser after Fernando Morientes’ first-half effort, did not know what hit them when Gerrard decided enough was enough.

Liverpool had been too casual and lacked concentration before they eventually made it 10 successive victories. Two-goal Gerrard’s astonishing desire refused to allow Liverpool’s final home match of the season to drift away.

His first was a determined near-post finish from close range but the second from fully 30 yards was breathtaking. It was his 21st goal in 51 matches this season, which speaks volumes in itself.

“Steven’s first goal was good but his second was amazing. Those are the reasons that he is one of the best players in England and maybe the world,” said Benitez.

“He is more mature now and maybe after the World Cup he will be established as the best midfield player in the world.”

Gerrard’s double ensured Liverpool drew level with Manchester United, at least on points if not goal difference, in the race for runners-up spot. And the Liverpool captain said: “My second was one of my best for sure. I knew as soon as I had hit it that I had made really good contact.

“We got off to a good start and then got a bit sloppy and complacent and let Villa back into it. But we reacted to their equaliser very well and got the next two goals at an important time. From then on it was comfortable.”

Gerrard is already looking beyond the World Cup to what he believes will be a genuine title challenge next season.

“We have now won 10 games on the trot, eight in the league and that is title-winning form. That’s the idea now, we need to continue to be as consistent as possible next year.

“If we stop the occasional slip-ups away from home then hopefully we will be right in the title race from the start. We aim to carry this current run of form straight into next season.

“We will keep fighting until the end for runners-up spot, although Manchester United must be favourites now with two home games left. But we knew before the start that they had lost at Chelsea so that was a spur for us. It was important to put a bit of pressure on them.”

Gerrard’s own form has even surprised the 25 year-old, who admitted: “I did not imagine I could score this many goals. As a midfielder your main target is to get into double figures each season. I hit that point very early in the season and Rafa told me he wanted 25.

“So I suppose I have to score four goals now in our last two games or I am a failure. We are getting better all the time. Rafa is improving the squad and the team and you can see from our progression from last season we are going places.”

On this display, and with their financial problems, a title race is something Villa boss David O’Leary – if he is still there – cannot even expect to dream of next term. The Irishman insisted he will still be manager, but ran through the usual list of reasons why Villa have been so abject: no money, no signings, inexperienced youngsters. It is a familiar tune.

“You can bet that I will be manager next season. People in the game know what is happening at this club and the big expectations at Villa,” he said.

“But I was unable to do anything in the last transfer window. We have had to use the youngsters and dig in.”

Opta Fact: It was only the fourth league match Fernando Morientes has scored this season — all netted at Anfield.

Opta Fact: Villa have won none of their last six away games and lost the last five in a row.