STEVEN GERRARD believes Liverpool kick off 2013 with 'plenty to be positive about'.

The Reds’ league form has been erratic ahead of tonight’s clash with Sunderland at Anfield but the skipper is confident there will be an improvement in the second half of the season.

“Going into the New Year, there’s plenty to be positive about,” said Gerrard.

“I’m excited about this Liverpool team. I genuinely believe we are moving in the right direction.

“There will be a few blips along the way like the Villa defeat because we are a very young squad. But clubs are defined by how they react to adversity and I know this group shares plenty of character and togetherness. As a collective, we will learn and we will get better.

“The league position needs to be improved and that needs to be our focus. But we’ve got games in two major cup competitions to look forward to as well.”