Both Liverpool players and manager have made no secret the Europa League is playing second fiddle this season to their attempts to secure a top-four Premier League berth and a return to the Champions League.
But with the Anfield outfit having now gone more than four years without a trophy, skipper Gerrard admits the chance of silverware means the competition will not be dismissed as an irrelevance.
“It's a strong group and I'm certainly looking forward to the games,” he says. “People will make us early favourites I'm sure, because of our experience in the Champions League and last year in the Europa League.
“I'm confident we can get out of the group but it will be tough. The draw has given us some difficult challenges.
“I don't think the Europa League is the priority. Everybody knows that our league position, where we finish at the end of this year, is the priority.
“But it's another trophy, it's a big cup. We haven't won a trophy for four years now so it's important we put a good show on in all the cup competitions and try to reward the fans with a final.”
Another Liverpool player chasing Europa League glory is Alberto Aquilani.
However, the Italian's efforts will be for Juventus having joined the Serie A side this week on a season-long loan.
Juve have an option to make the stay permanent for a fee of £13million, which would see Liverpool recoup more than two-thirds of the £18m they splashed out to bring Aquilani from Roma 12 months ago.
And while grateful of his time in England, the player has revealed he does not want to return to Anfield.
“England was a great experience, but I am here to stay,” says Aquilani. “Leaving Roma was a hard choice, but it helped the club financially.
“I am a professional and Juventus is a fundamental move in my career and to help me step back towards the national team.
“There is a will to do well here. Scudetto? We can do well, but Inter have something more.”
LIVERPOOL'S EUROPA LEAGUE SCHEDULE: Thu Sep 16: Steaua Bucharest (H) 8.05pm, Thu Sep 30: Utrecht (A) 6pm, Thu Oct 21: Napoli (A) 6pm, Thu Nov 4: Napoli (H) 8.05pm, Thu Dec 2: Steaua Bucharest (A) 6pm, Thu Dec 15: Utrecht (H) 8.05pm.
