Why? They have a very average squad.
I agree, but it shouldn't be. I think that comment from Gerrard was about letting fans know that he and the squad recognises they had a poor season, they are a big name, that have spent a lot of money on players, so he has a point when he says that LFC should finish higher.
the expectation of finishing near the top without fail is whats hurting Liverpool at the moment, they've sacked their last 3 managers 2 after a relatively short period of time and given a legend for the club like Daglish was sacked for not being in the Champions League after winning 1 trophy and getting to the final of the other then unless Rogers is up there straight away he's screwed. The lack of a long term plan will only hurt them as no one has a chance to put any foundations down before the next guy is in with a completely different idea on football leaving some expensive aqusitions from the previous manager looking surplus to requirements and not wanted (Carroll the most glaring example here)