The England midfielder has helped his club to Champions League, UEFA Cup and FA Cup glory during his career but a league title still evades him.

And while he admits new owner John W Henry’s policy to promote youth is for the best in the long-term, he has a “selfish” hope that money can be made available to improve the squad now.

“This club will be here for many years so I think the right thing is to build for the future, bring young talent in, sort the scouting system out from top to bottom and, in my opinion, merge the Academy and Melwood, where the first team train,” Gerrard said in the News of the World.

“From a selfish point of view, I also want a short-term fix.

“I think the Americans have got the right ideas to build a platform for this club for many years to come but, of course, when I speak to them, I’m going to be wanting a quick fix.

“I’ve got four or five years left at this level and I want to win trophies before I finish, because that’s what I go to work for.”