Gerrard: I'll prove myself to Roy

Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool will rise to the challenge of re-establishing themselves as a Barclays Premier League force and admits he can't wait to lead the Reds out against Arsenal amidst a fresh wave of optimism.

The skipper feels there is a real buzz reverberating around Melwood at the moment and reckons the 2010-11 campaign will provide them with the perfect opportunity to show their true worth.

"When you are captain of Liverpool, every single day you have got something to prove," said Gerrard.

"When you have a new manager and new players coming in, the demands on you to prove yourself intensify.

"Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres are the same. At Liverpool Football Club there is no time to relax. You are expected to win every game you play and perform to your maximum every time you pull on a Red shirt.

"There is lots to be positive about and you have got to give credit to the people high up in the club. They have made a lot of changes to the staff and the players and sometimes that just needs to happen.

"When things like that happen, you get a freshness around the place and that leads to people having smiles on their faces. I'm just glad I'm going into the season feeling positive and with confidence that we can be successful.

"Everybody is going into training feeling good and the fans are looking forward to it."

During the World Cup Gerrard refused to discuss club issues as he looked to focus on England's bid for glory.

However, he continued to watch developments at Anfield with interest and is excited by the prospect of getting the Roy Hodgson era off to a solid start.

"It was just a question of forgetting about Liverpool for the time being, having a holiday, sitting back and watching what happened," explained Gerrard.

"I kept in touch with (Managing Director) Christian Purslow throughout the summer and to be fair he has backed up his words with actions.

"Now I've got three years left on my contract and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"And what a game to start off with. It is a tough but it if we can win, we can put a strong early statement out. We are not going to be at our peak straight away but, at the same time, Arsenal will know they have been in a game."

A midweek brace in England's 2-1  friendly win over Hungary was evidence that the skipper is already primed for the season ahead.

Indeed, Wembley was treated to a glimpse of Gerrard at his irrepressible best and he admits there would be no better way to end Hodgson's first season in charge than to lift silverware at English football's spiritual home.

"I am hungry for that," he said. "I know how proud it would make my family, my team-mates and all our supporters. When you play football, winning trophies is what it is all about and you want to be successful.

"We've had some highs in the last couple of years but no trophies and that needs to change.

"Every time I play at Wembley for England, I think of what it would like to do it for us. It would be three-quarters full of Liverpool fans and an amazing occasion."

He added: "Last season was one of those long seasons that you just could not wait to finish."We didn't have a final to play in, we were out of contention for the league and there were a lot of long faces but it goes to show how quickly things can change. 

"On a personal level, I was really frustrated with the way I played last season and I am determined to put that right."

On the subject of Liverpool's ownership, Gerrard insisted that it is not for the players to deliberate over but remains confident the club's hierarchy will find a positive outcome.

"You have got to leave that to the right people. All we can hope is that it happens soon," he said. "What is important is that the bigger picture gets looked at and the decisions benefits the club for years to come."