Hat-trick hero Gerrard calls for sprint finish

[sportsbot]

Steven Gerrard urged Liverpool to end the season with a flourish after hitting a spectacular Merseyside derby hat-trick.

Gerrard became the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush in 1982/83 to score a league treble against Everton as Liverpool coasted to a 3-0 win over their neighbours at Anfield.

It ended a three-match losing run in the Premier League, after defeats to Sunderland, Arsenal and Manchester United, and lifted Liverpool to within two points of sixth-placed Newcastle United.

Although a top-four finish and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League appears unlikely - Liverpool trail fourth-placed Arsenal by 10 points with 10 games remaining - Gerrard is anxious Dalglish's side do not allow the campaign to fizzle out and wants to end the season on a high.

Liverpool, who ended a six-year trophy drought last month when they won the League Cup, entertain Stoke in the last-eight of the FA Cup on Sunday.

"It's been a frustrating run for us, we never turned up at Sunderland and we are going from one extreme to the other at the moment. We need a winning streak," said Gerrard, after his first hat-trick since scoring three against Napoli in the UEFA Europa League in November 2010.

"To get three goals is a bit extra, but I have to give Luis Suarez a special mention. He put two on a plate for me. I haven't played with him much, but when I have we have an understanding. Hopefully that can continue."

fifa.com