STEVEN GERRARD has revealed his fears that Liverpool are already trailing behind in their bid to close in on the Premier League’s top two.

Chelsea, who finished runners-up to fellow Champions league finalists Manchester United in this year’s title race, have already made their first major summer signing, £16milion Porto full-back Jose Bosingwa.

And the captain is urging the Liverpool board to ensure they find the means to match that kind of business – and fast.

Gerrard – in a rallying call similar in tone to the one his manager Rafael Benitez delivered in the immediate aftermath of the Champions League final loss to AC Milan a year ago – said: “The time to act is now, not in January when we’re already too far behind. Look at Chelsea. A day after they’ve lost the league, what do they do? They spend £16 million on a full-back.

“That’s the kind of ruthless approach to transfers the Liverpool fans and players want to see, making the signings the manager wants.

“The manager knows where we need to strengthen and the players and fans have faith in Rafa – but he needs the backing to act on his plans.

“There’s no point us waiting all summer again and then possibly missing out on the players we need.

“If we do that we’ll just end up going through the same experience as previous years.

“It hurts more and more when we get to November or December every season and have to accept we’re out of the title race again.

“Every year seems to be following the same routine. The manager asks for more support in the transfer market in January, while we’re all saying to ourselves this should have happened the previous summer.

“The only way to achieve this is to give the manager the kind of backing which gives us a chance. You only get better when you improve the quality in the squad.”

Gerrard’s exasperation at what he sees as the same turn of events transpiring year after year again raises inevitable questions about whether he believes he will fulfil his ambitions at Anfield.

But the midfielder, who will be 28 next week, has already declared he can’t see himself leaving and remains confident the squad strengthening will eventually lead to him being part of the side that lands that first domestic title since 1990.

“Everyone can see we’ve got a lot of very good players here. I honestly don’t believe we’re that far off if we can make two or three top-class additions,” Gerrard added.

“The spine of the side is definitely there. But we know United and Chelsea are going to go out and spend millions again this summer.

“You can see what Fernando Torres added to our team this season. He made a big difference.

“No-one is saying we should be spending that kind of money on every player we sign, but if we’re going to mount a serious challenge for the title we have to bring in proven quality.”

Gerrard also feels his words reflect the thoughts of his fellow Liverpool supporters – with fans anxious that the boardroom split will rumble on into the close season meaning funds not being freed up for Benitez to make his desired additions. Which is why Gerrard is keen to send out the message that this summer is one of the most vital in shaping the club’s long-term future.

“I’m not just talking or thinking as a player here, but as a fan,” he added. “This isn’t just about what I feel, but about what the fans, the players and everyone who loves the club wants.

“Our supporters deserve more of a challenge than we’ve put up – but they also need to feel we’ve a realistic chance of competing.

“Like all of us, they’ll be watching what’s happening at the club over the summer very carefully.

“They’ll be reading the papers every day to find out what’s going on, and desperate to feel positive about the future.

“I’ve always seen summer as a really important period because that’s when all the planning gets done.

“League titles aren’t just won on the pitch from one week to the next, they’re won by managers planning ahead and assembling squads which can cope with the demands of English and European football.

“We have to be doing everything in our power over the next few weeks to prevent another disappointing season.”

As anticipated, the Liverpool quartet of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa have been named in Spain’s Euro 2008 squad.

They play friendlies against Peru on May 31 and USA on June 4 before kicking off their opening group game against Russia in Innsbruck on June 10.

Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas is the other Premier League representative but coach Luis Aragones sprung a surprise by omitting Raul, Spain’s all-time leading scorer. Meanwhile Liverpool are ready to step up their interest in Andreas Dossena now that the Italian season is over.

Benitez believes the 26-year-old Udinese player can fill the problem role at left-back.

Although Dossena recently signed a new four-and-a-half year deal, it is thought an offer in the region of £8million could tempt the Serie A club.

Dossena made his debut for Italy in November in a friendly fixture against South Africa.

Reserve team goalkeeper David Martin has signed a new contract which will keep him at Anfield until June 2010.