Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits they lack the individual quality to compete with Manchester United.

As a diehard Scouser and Liverpool fan, it is a fact which cuts deep with the England captain.

He admitted: "We're not at the levels of Manchester City or United, the table is evidence of that. I can't sit here and say we're on their level because we're not - but I don't think we're a million miles away either.

"We're eighth in the league and that's not good enough, even though we have played really well in the majority of games.

"Everyone knows we're behind them at the moment. What we can do to get up to their level is bring in better players but it hurts."