Gerrard sees signs of Liverpool progress

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson and captain Steven Gerrard at the club's training ground (AP)

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes progress is being made under new manager Roy Hodgson.

Although the Reds lost 3-2 against Manchester United yesterday they fought back from 2-0 down - with both goals coming from the England midfielder - only to be denied six minutes from time when Dimitar Berbatov completed his hat-trick.

But after a poor display at Birmingham the previous weekend Gerrard saw signs at Old Trafford things were heading in the right direction.

"It is going to take time before the new manager gets his feet in the door and gets his ideas over," he said.

"We are improving and the performance yesterday was very good.

"If we play like that most weeks we will beat most teams in the league.

"We just came up against a man in form who was the difference."

Gerrard was impressed not only by the character of the side in fighting their way back but with the way they approached the game.

Having been second best in the first half the Reds stepped up a gear after the break and although they did not really create that many opportunities they did enough to have United's defence wobbling for a while.

"When you come to Old Trafford it is important to keep the ball away from United or they will control the game and score every time they go forward," added the 30-year-old.

"We kept the ball away from them and I thought we passed it really well; of course we had to be edgy in the first half because we were away from home.

"I thought second half we were much more positive and played some terrific stuff but you get nothing for that.

"When you go to places like that you have to create chances from your possession and score goals.

"We scored two but it was not enough."