Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has insisted that the team can challenge for honours again next season having seen their Champions League hopes all but ended.
The Reds earned a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, with Gerrard scoring the equalising goal to cancel out John Terry's early opener for the newly-crowned champions.
The result leaves Liverpool six points off Manchester United with just two games remaining, but Gerrard believes their performance shows that they can compete next season with "a few additions" in the summer.
"I think now this team's got to prepare for next year. We wanted to make a statement with our performance today," the 34-year-old told Sky Sports News.
"Unfortunately we didn't win the game but we've shown that with a few additions we can compete next year. We've shown we've come up a bit short. I think it's important the lads get some rest, the owners try and dig deep and help Brendan [Rodgers] out.
"There's a great core of players here. This league is getting more and more difficult every year. We lost [Luis] Suarez, we haven't had Daniel Sturridge, it's been tough."
Gerrard will play his final home game for the club next weekend when Crystal Palace visit Anfield.
Barney Corkhill
