Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the club's quest for the Premier League title is still on track while claiming leaders Arsenal will crack under the pressures of the campaign.
Gerrard, who first captained the Reds five years ago this week, is defiant in the wake of the midweek mauling of Besiktas in the Champions League and the re-established confidence of his team.
Gerrard, with four goals in his last five games going into tomorrow's game with Fulham, also considers he is back to his best form after an accepted 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 to deal 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 told LiverpoolFC magazine: 'The only thing we can do is get our own house in order and keep winning. 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.'
On his own battle for form, Gerrard said: 'I know I was not at my best earlier in the season. But when you have been out for a while like I was with injury, it is always going to take time to get back into your rhythm.
'I played through it and now I have come out the other side. When I was younger, when people criticised me it had an affect on me. But not any more, I don't pay attention to what people say, I couldn't care less.
'I set myself personal targets each season, but I keep them to myself with the exception of the manager. I am confident I will meet those targets and expectations.
'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.'
