Steven Gerrard insists that Liverpool's challenge for the Premier League title is still on track after the team's confidenrce was restored by the 8-0 drubbing of Besiktas in midweek. The Liverpool captain, who has scored four goals in his last five games, also says he is back to his best form after a difficult spell.

He said: "I played through it and now I have come out the other side, scoring goals and feeling great. We are keeping pace at the top and we are not at our best yet, while few would argue that Arsenal are playing to their full potential at the moment.

"They're on fire and playing out of their skin. But they have not had the problems that us, Chelsea and Manchester United have had with injuries to key players.

"It will be interesting to see how well they perform when they lose a few key players and face more tricky matches."

Gerrard also believes that his side must improve their recent home form if they are put pressure on the leading sides.

"The only thing we can do is get our own house in order and keep winning," he said. "Our away form is a massive improvement on last season, and we know we must improve at home.

"But people are saying we are out of it and struggling. Wrong. We are in the first week of November, in a better position than we were this time last season and unbeaten in the league with a game in hand on most.

"Let us see where we are when the prizes are handed out come May, that is what counts."

He added: "We are closer to the top than we were at this stage last season, and it is a better start than many we have had. Out of it by November? I don't think so."

But Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, insists being part of a record-breaking 8-0 European rout will not affect his rotation policy.

Peter Crouch, named in the England squad today, returned to score twice in midweek but that will not automatically ensure he continues in Benitez's front line.

"I was happy with the Champions League performance but I have not decided who plays in the next game. We will look at their fitness and analyse performances," Benitez said.

"The situation does not worry me. I can chose from four strikers who I believe are all playing well but I can understand why people ask the question.

"I was pleased with Crouch but I must repeat that Voronin did not score but was the best player on the pitch for us going forward. I like to see all my players doing well and I prefer to have the problem of deciding which players will be in the team.

"The midweek win was more about good team work rather than one or two players doing well.

"Crouch was good - and I don't want to give any other impression - but when we brought him to the club it was because we knew he was a good player.

"But Voronin didn't score and played well, (Yossi) Benayoun, (Ryan) Babel, (Fabio) Aurelio, (Alvaro) Arbeloa, they all played well. I like to see all of my players doing as well as possible.

"Torres was fit to play in the week and will be in the squad against Fulham but now I have to decide whether he plays. If I had to pick a team for a cup final tomorrow, all I can say is that I would be able to pick two good strikers."

Benitez, however, emphatically rejects the theory that, at £20 million-plus, Torres is his automatic first-choice striker.

"He is a new player and the same as anyone else in the squad. I have four strikers and they are viewed the same and must compete for the positions up front."