Gerrard can win title at Liverpool, says Benitez

Gerrard poured out his frustrations at another below-par domestic campaign and sent a shudder of apprehension through Anfield's hierarchy by pointedly remarking that he 'didn't want to be talking about next season being the one for Liverpool' when he had turned 30.

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But, as he prepared to try to regain fourth place from neighbours Everton at Bolton tomorrow, Benitez insisted there was no cause for concern that the heartbeat of the Liverpool team might be agitating for a move.

'I am sure Stevie can fulfil all his ambitions here at Anfield, because we are progressing,' said the Liverpool manager. 'Sometimes you can go faster and sometimes you cannot, but we are heading in the right direction.

'Stevie is happy to be here and don't forget he said in his interview that the squad, the fans, the stadium, the manager and the club are all going in the right direction. He knows we are doing a lot of positive things and has also said that winning the Champions League was his best memory in football.

'We know we need to improve in the Premier League, but he still thinks it would be a fantastic season if we could go all the way in Europe and win it again. I know Stevie wants to lift the title, but we all share the same ambition. We are only talking about it so much because we've already won the Champions League once and reached the final two seasons later.

'All right, there have been mistakes in the Premier League and we need to start winning games in a row.

'But I am sure of one thing. The key for Stevie is lifting trophies and if we can win the Champions League this May he will be one of the happiest people in the world. I have no doubt about that.'

While talks are continuing over a new deal for Peter Crouch, Javier Mascherano's Anfield future was finally tied up yesterday when he completed a £19million permanent move by signing a four-year contract.

Bolton captain Kevin Nolan believes Liverpool will only challenge for their first title since 1990 when the Anfield hierarchy take the plunge on a £150m spending spree.

Nolan, a Liverpool fan, shares Gerrard's public anguish at the club missing out yet again on their holy grail. He said: 'Liverpool have spent £26m on Fernando Torres and he looks a player. But if they are going to match the others, they've got to have that one season when they do spend over the £150m mark.'

The Reebok Stadium has become a bogey ground for Liverpool — Rafa Benitez has not won in three attempts as manager and Bolton have lost only one of the seven clashes over the past 11 years.

Nolan said: 'They know deep down if they want to start winning titles, they have to start coming to places like Bolton and living up to the challenge. Arsenal have done it, as have Manchester United and Chelsea.'

Benitez has hit out in the past at Bolton's robust style, but Nolan said: 'It is music to our ears when we hear the complaints, but I have never heard any of their players complaining about us.'

UEFA have begun disciplinary proceedings against Bolton and Atletico Madrid, whose UEFA Cup second leg in the Spanish capital last week was marred by crowd trouble. The UEFA disciplinary committee will deal with the issue at a meeting on March 20.

Bolton complained that their fans were harassed by Spanish police, while Atletico 'ultras' were involved in confrontations with the police and visiting Bolton fans.