STEVEN GERRARD reckons that Liverpool are entering a pivotal month that will have a major bearing on whether they can challenge for Champions League qualification.

A 3-2 weekend win over West Ham ensured the Reds moved just four points away from fourth- placed side Everton, and their sequence of fixtures over the next four weeks includes winnable ties against Aston Villa, Fulham, Stoke, QPR and Sunderland.

Gerrard believes that the Anfield side must capitalise on their current momentum if they are to ensure their Champions League bid does not fall.

"We're building slowly towards where we want to be," he said. "We've got home games now against Villa and Fulham.

"If we can capitalise and make it 12 points out of 12 we will be a lot closer to fourth.

"It's a platform to build on. Come the end of December we're really looking to be close to that fourth position."

The result at Upton Park saw Liverpool come back from 2-1 down without suspended top scorer Luis Suarez, and Gerrard added: "I think before the game people were doubting us and thinking we would be a bit toothless in the final third without our top striker.

"But we've gone away from home, scored three goals and got the three points. We showed a lot of character to come back.

"Every win does a lot for the group and we did it without not only our top scorer but one of the top scorers in the Premier League.

"People will always doubt you and question what's going to come from this team – a lot of people have said for years we're a one-man team or two-man team.

"We can't control what people say but we know we have got a lot of good players here."