Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is anticipating that January's African Cup of Nations could have a decisive influence in this season's Premier League title race, with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea losing vital players to the three-week tournament, at a time of year when key points can be collected for the top sides.
"Everyone will have blips and some of the teams lose important players with the African Nations. It's a long season - there are a lot of games and a lot football to be played yet," the England international told the Reds' official website
"Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City have got off to good starts but there is a long way to go before you start predicting who will be up there at the end."
Liverpool travel to London to face West Ham United at Upton Park this Saturday evening, and Gerrard is confident that fans will see an improvement in the team's performance after a somewhat disappointing 1-0 win over Debrecen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Reds' finishing in particular was poor, but the talismanic midfielder is convinced that the best is yet to come from last year's Premier League runners-up.
"The confidence is slowly starting to filter back into the side," he added. "Obviously we were disappointed to lose those two games close together but we are building slowly.
"We know we are a good team, we know we have good players. It does take a while to get back to your best after losing two games you don't expect to lose but we're happy with the progression. Now we've got to go get a good win on Saturday.
"We know it's very early and we know when the prizes are given out - at the end of the season. But it was important to recover and get back to where we want to be - and now we're close to that.
"We've also got some players coming back from injury. Fabio Aurelio has a lot of quality and is a very experienced player, so it'll be nice to get him back. And Alberto Aquilani looks a very exciting player. It will be nice to have the option of playing him, though he's not ready just yet.
"There's a couple of big fixtures, so if we concentrate on our own performance and get a win, hopefully the table will look more in our favour come Monday.
"Upton Park has always been a tough place to go. We got a good win there last year when we were well organised and dangerous on the counterattack. I'm sure that will be the plan again at the weekend."
"Everyone will have blips and some of the teams lose important players with the African Nations. It's a long season - there are a lot of games and a lot football to be played yet," the England international told the Reds' official website
"Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City have got off to good starts but there is a long way to go before you start predicting who will be up there at the end."
Liverpool travel to London to face West Ham United at Upton Park this Saturday evening, and Gerrard is confident that fans will see an improvement in the team's performance after a somewhat disappointing 1-0 win over Debrecen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Reds' finishing in particular was poor, but the talismanic midfielder is convinced that the best is yet to come from last year's Premier League runners-up.
"The confidence is slowly starting to filter back into the side," he added. "Obviously we were disappointed to lose those two games close together but we are building slowly.
"We know we are a good team, we know we have good players. It does take a while to get back to your best after losing two games you don't expect to lose but we're happy with the progression. Now we've got to go get a good win on Saturday.
"We know it's very early and we know when the prizes are given out - at the end of the season. But it was important to recover and get back to where we want to be - and now we're close to that.
"We've also got some players coming back from injury. Fabio Aurelio has a lot of quality and is a very experienced player, so it'll be nice to get him back. And Alberto Aquilani looks a very exciting player. It will be nice to have the option of playing him, though he's not ready just yet.
"There's a couple of big fixtures, so if we concentrate on our own performance and get a win, hopefully the table will look more in our favour come Monday.
"Upton Park has always been a tough place to go. We got a good win there last year when we were well organised and dangerous on the counterattack. I'm sure that will be the plan again at the weekend."
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