Gerrard: New signings can push Liverpool into Champions League

Speaking after his testimonial against Olympiacos, the captain feels Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet can help secure a top-four finish

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard feels the club's new signings can propel them back into the Champions League.

The Merseyside outfit showed good Premier League form towards the end of last season, losing just one of their final 12 games to eventually secure a seventh-place finish.

England skipper Gerrard says that he has already seen enough during pre-season from Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto, Kolo Toure and Simon Mignolet to convince him the club can earn a return to the Champions League after a four-year absence.

"It's got to be the aim [to finish in the top four]," Gerrard told reporters after his testimonial match against Olympiacos.

"I've experienced it many times here at Anfield [European football]; that's where we believe we belong.

"[Aspas] got little bits of magic and he'll certainly strengthen the squad, he's still very young but you can see the talent there.

"I thought [Kolo] Toure looked very assured at the back, [Simon] Mignolet kept a clean sheet. And Luis Alberto is one for the future. I'm sure every minute he gets here at Anfield it'll be a great experience for him.

"All our new signings are settling well and hopefully there's one or two more in these coming weeks."

Liverpool celebrated Gerrard's career with a 2-0 win over Olympiacos, with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson bagging the goals.