Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says this is the season to end the club's Premiership title drought.
"We closed the gap last season and we finished in the top four again so that shows that we're not that far away," Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv. "But it's not about closing the gap any more, it's about getting involved in the title race and staying there.
"That's my aim for this season and it's the aim of the manager and all the players, there's no question about that. If we're going to get involved in the title race then the first thing we have to do is cut out the silly draws in games we should win.
"That happened too many times last season and it cost us too many points.
"If we're perfect against those teams this season then it will really improve our chances of doing well because not only will we pick up more points, we will also improve our confidence for when we take on the top sides.
"I've said many times that I honestly don't think there's much between us and the other top sides. Whenever we play any of them we do well and we have outplayed all of them in certain games but far too often they've managed to nick a sly goal that has got them the points.
"We need to stop that from happening and look to do it ourselves because these crucial goals make a massive difference. The likes of United and Chelsea have had an edge in recent seasons but now we have to show that we can do to them what they've done to us in the past.
"If you look at United, it looks like they're going to pay well over £20m on another striker and they also offered around £20m for a winger so let's not kid ourselves, they are probably going to be stronger again. But we believe we are a good side too and if we perform as well as we can week in week out then I've got no doubt that we can be involved."
Gerrard admits he dreads the prospect of ending his career without a title medal to show for his time at the club - but he is confident the gaping hole in his own personal trophy collection will be filled.
"It is a massive frustration for me, just as it is for everyone who loves this club," he said. "I'm no different to the lads who go to the match every week in that I desperately want us to be challenging for the title, and it does hurt me that it hasn't happened for so long.
"But I won't be sulking about it and I won't stop believing that we can do it because I still believe I'm at the right club and hopefully it will only be a matter of time before we get it right.
"Maybe the harsh truth is that I haven't deserved a title winner's medal up to now, but I've still got five or six years left in me and I'll be doing everything I can to get one because that would mean that this great club is back where it belongs."
