The Reds have missed out on a place in Europe's premier competition for the past couple of seasons and Gerrard is desperate to finish in the Premier League's top four this term. However, the skipper has also underlined the importance of silverware to the club in any competition as Liverpool prepare to face Stoke in the Carling Cup on Wednesday. "Bringing those European nights back to Anfield is what we all want," he told LFC Magazine. "Some of the best nights of my career have been in the Champions League and I want to experience a few more before I eventually hang up my boots. "It's difficult to watch it on TV on a Tuesday or Wednesday night knowing we are not involved. "Everyone here is striving to get back there and the sooner it happens the better. "At the same time it's about trophies for me and I see the FA Cup and the Carling Cup as also being very important. "Because we are only involved in three competitions we have to focus on all of them. "There is no European football so you can afford to focus more on the Carling Cup. "We haven't done well in any of the cups domestically since 2006. "It's time we gave the fans a bit of excitement again. They deserve it and there would be nothing better than going to Wembley. That would be fantastic for everyone." Gerrard also revealed the boost owners Fenway Sports Group have given, feeling the club has made great progress since the takeover. "It's been a good 12 months on the pitch and off the pitch," he said. "They've stabilised the club and certainly put the money in. They've backed the manager and Damien Comolli. They've been very supportive of the team. "I thought it was a great touch for them to come and visit me in the hospital when I had my infection. "I was very low at the time but they called me and made the effort to come and see me. That gave me a huge lift and I was grateful to them for that."
