Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted that he has been taken aback by the speed of progression at the club since he took over in the summer of 2012.
The former Swansea City boss revealed that he wanted his current side to be challenging for the Champions League places in his third year.
However, Rodgers has overseen an outside Premier League title challenge in his second this term.
The Reds are currently fourth in the division, four points off leaders Chelsea and, the Northern Irishman told talkSPORT: "When I spoke to the owners when I decided to come to Liverpool, I certainly wanted to be challenging for the Champions League by my third year at the club.
"But I haven't been surprised by the players because I've seen how much they put into their game and I know the quality we have. I think we've probably moved ahead of where I thought we would be this season, some of our play has been exceptional, but there are still areas of the team that I feel we need to improve on.
"It's been a wonderful season, to be in our position with 11 games to go is fantastic, but there's still a lot of work to do."
The Reds have scored 70 goals this season - the most in the Premier League.
Paul Gorst
