Steven Gerrard says he would rather Liverpool win the Carling Cup several times than consistently finish in the Premier League's top four.

Gerrard: Wants medals now

With the Reds just a step from a first Wembley final in 15 years, Gerrard admits medals matter more to him than making the UEFA Champions League year after year.

Liverpool go into Wednesday night's Carling Cup semi-final second leg with a 1-0 lead over Manchester City thanks to Gerrard's penalty at the Etihad Stadium.

And with the Reds skipper entering the last few years of his career, he admits it is his medal haul that he will look back on when he hangs up his boots.

"As a player, I don't want to be saying I finished in the top four, four or five times. I want to look back and say I won the Carling Cup three times. Or four. Or five," said Gerrard.

"Our targets (at the start of the season) were to get into the top four and go on two long runs in the cup and it's still possible. Why change? Why are people crying out for change?"

Liverpool appear at Anfield on Wednesday for the first time since their 3-1 defeat at Bolton and will be eager to bounce back from a performance that has been roundly criticised by manager Kenny Dalglish.

The semi-final with City is followed quickly by a powder-keg FA Cup tie with Manchester United on Saturday. The two games will determine whether Gerrard can add to the Liverpool trophy cabinet but he knows performance levels must improve following their Reebok setback.

"Kenny spoke in the dressing room after the Bolton game and on Monday before training. He wasn't angry, he just said it as it was," said Gerrard.

"He didn't lose his rag or his control. He told individuals and us as a group that it wasn't acceptable. As captain of the team, that is down to me. He went through all of us.

"I don't want to see much of a reaction from the lads on the training ground, or the training pitch, I want to see it from the lads at Anfield.

"The people new to the club will appreciate and understand the club a bit more after a performance like that. You can't do that here. The fans won't accept it. They don't deserve it. It's not allowed.

"I have been here a long time and experienced days like that and the important thing is to move on from it fast. If we perform like that against Manchester City, there will be no Wembley trip."

Gerrard has echoed the thoughts of his manager by insisting mention of a visit to the home of football has been outlawed in the dressing room.

"It has got to be banned because we haven't made it there yet," the England international told Liverpool's official match programme.

"Of course it enters your mind and you dream about it; that helps when it comes to motivation.

"But I don't think any of our players will be getting carried away or thinking we've already done the job. We know this is a big game and a tough game."