Gerrard: We'll get better

"We made hard work of it I suppose but we go into the second leg and we are winning so they've got to come and beat us," he said after the game.

"We can still improve on our performance and are still looking for 100% fitness but it was hard work out there tonight."

Craig Bellamy scored a first half equaliser in front of the Kop, while late substitute Mark Gonzalez netted the winner in the final few minutes of the match.

"That's what we bought Craig for - to score us goals," added Gerrard. "Mark has come on towards the end and got us a vital goal but that's what we've bought them for and they've done the job tonight.

"We'll be a better side come the second leg but there's still a job to do and we need to work hard to make sure we get into the Champions League.