The Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that Liverpool’s disastrous run of injuries and defeats has left them too many points behind Man Utd and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, but his team now need to put their heads down and concentrate on making sure of a top four position if nothing else.

“I think we have to be realistic,” Gerrard said. “At the moment we’re out of the title race but we will keep trying to get back in it.

“Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment but our main target is to get back in the top four. We’re coming off the back of a fantastic win at Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn and try and go on a run.”

The Blackburn match will be Gerrards 500th game for Liverpool and he will be keen to mark the occasion with another three points.