The Reds skipper believes the Anfield club suffer from a failure to invest in the summer which allows Manchester United and Chelsea to make a head start in the race for the title and has called on co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to back Benitez.

Gerrard told the News of the World: "It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we're out of the title race again. Every year seems to be following the same routine."

He added: "The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa -- but he needs the backing to act on his plans. When the American owners came to Liverpool they told the players and fans they wanted the same as us."

The England midfielder admits he is desperate to win a league title, saying: "I've won every major honour at Liverpool except one. It hurts more and more not only to have never won the league, but to have never really gone close.

"It would be bad enough if we only narrowly missed out on the title, but we've never got to March or April recently and thought we were in contention."