Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is convinced they can revive their season.

Jurgen Klopp's squad are currently enjoying some warm weather training in Dubai as they prepare for their Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City next Thursday, followed by the resumption of Premier League football with a Boxing Day trip to Aston Villa. The Reds were invited to compete in the Dubai Super Cup, with friendlies against Lyon - a 3-2 loss on Sunday - and AC Milan adding a full pre-season feel to the break.

"Yeah, it is [like a second pre-season]," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.com. "It's an opportunity to get a lot of work in on the training ground [and] reset a few things.

"I'm sure Jurgen and his staff are doing a lot of things tactically but [it's] also an opportunity to have a much-needed rest. They've played a lot of football over the last few years, they were involved in every competition last year.

"So to have a small pre-season before a ball was kicked [and then] to have this opportunity to rest and then have a second build-up, I'm hoping that Liverpool come flying out of the blocks.

"I expect a really strong six months and finish to the season because important players have had the chance to rest and recover and the players [who have been] in the World Cup should come back full of confidence, in a good place, physically ready. I expect a really strong, exciting finish to the season for the Reds."