Liverpool will secure a spot in the 2017-18 Champions League should they overcome a two-legged playoff in August following their fourth-placed finish in the league last season.

And former Liverpool captain Gerrard, who will take charge of the club's under-18 side next term, is confident Jurgen Klopp's team will challenge for silverware if they can make a few statements in the transfer market.

"I think we've got a fantastic manager at the helm, who will hopefully attract a few big names to complete the jigsaw," he said. "I think Liverpool are very, very close and if you look at the statistics of the top six from last season, they were the best team in terms of head-to-head.

"So Liverpool know where they need to improve and it's consistency against the teams in the bottom half of the table -- the teams that sit narrow, compact and are difficult to break down.

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"Hopefully we can get the two or three big pieces of the jigsaw that are missing and I'm really confident that Liverpool can keep moving forward and there will be success just around the corner."

Liverpool's struggles under Klopp have come against opponents who tend to sit deep and restrict their attacking style.

Gerrard says Liverpool need to recruit another forward to help the team overcome that problem, along with a new left-back to provide competition for James Milner.

Liverpool remain interested in Roma winger Mohamed Salah, while the club continue to pursue other left-back targets after moving on from Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon.

"I think we need someone in the left-back position. James has done a fantastic job out there, but it would be nice to have another option out there as well," Gerrard added.

"And maybe one more attacking player to give some more firepower and help unlock the defences that are really narrow and compact. I don't think we need major reconstruction, I think it's just a couple of pieces of the jigsaw left and I'm really happy with where we are at the moment."