Gerrard up for the fight ...

Steven Gerrard believes Sunday's 0-0 draw with Chelsea will help Liverpool in the 'big challenge' to finish fourth in the Premier League this season.

Rafa Benitez's side have struggled this campaign after being tipped as genuine title contenders and Liverpool now face a battle to finish in the top four.

However, Liverpool earned a hard-fought point at Stamford Bridge to maintain their hopes of a place in the UEFA Champions League next term.

And captain Gerrard insists the level of improved performance must be maintained as the Reds battle it out with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City for a place in Europe's top club competition.

"There are definitely a lot of positives to take out of this (Chelsea) game. It was definitely a big improvement on how we've played of late," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"We realise now that we're facing a big challenge to finish in the top four and we've got to forget about the title and focus on fighting for fourth place.

"There are a lot of teams around us who are in good form and playing well so it's important that we don't let our standards drop."

And Gerrard has echoed the sentiments of his Liverpool team-mate Jose Reina by suggesting that the Reds struck the correct balance between attack and defence at Stamford Bridge.

"I think we controlled the majority of this game and it felt as if we could have snatched it," Gerrard added.

"I just thought we lacked that cutting edge in the final third but I can't fault many other things because it was a good performance.

"We looked more solid defensively and I thought we were the better side over the 90 minutes and if anyone was going to win it was us."