Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects his side's run to within a whisker of winning last season's Premier League title to be of benefit as they hunt down a Champions League qualification place.

A haul of 12 wins from 14 matches got the Reds to within touching distance of the unthinkable last season and while the goal may not be as glittering, Rodgers says his side will be comfortable under pressure as they battle Manchester United, Tottenham, Southampton, Arsenal and maybe even Manchester City for a top-four spot.

"Last season will help us," says Rodgers. "We dealt really well with the pressure. We won 12 out of 14 in the run-in and it was unfortunate that we lost one."

If Steven Gerrard was watching Football Focus on Saturday he may have been tempted to buy some new curtains.

Why? Well his former team-mate turned Swansea midfielder Jonjo Shelvey told the audience all about living next door to the Liverpool captain in Formby.

"It was a bit mad to be honest with you," Shelvey said. "I've gone from living in a three bedroom council house with my brother, sister, mum and dad to living in Formby next to Steven Gerrard. From my bedroom you could see into the back of his house and I was always looking."

It sounds like you were too eager to learn Jonjo. We only hope you do not own binoculars. Shelvey has all the makings of a villain in this story, he even stalks his prey.

Image source, AFP

You can almost see it now. The final minute of his final league game, Steven Gerrard has a chance - probably a volley - to bank Liverpool a Champions League place, his parting gift if you will.

Swansea City have the chance to rip up - or at least do serious damage to - the script tonight and what if, as is so often the way in dramatic productions, Gerrard used to live next door to the one who would ultimately dash his dream ending?

Could his old next-door neighbour Jonjo Shelvey be lurking in the shadows to deliver an early plot twist?

Liverpool started the season like a team with many new parts, none of which worked properly...

Image source, Getty Images

The talisman announced his future departure, so is he going out with a whimper?

Image source, Getty Images

Not yet it seems. The Reds are now flying, Steven Gerrard is not even a guaranteed starter but football stories so often have a dramatic final chapter. With 10 games to go, is the Reds' Roy of the Rovers about to start writing his?

Image source, Google