Liverpool FC v Sunderland Barclays Premier League Match at Anfield.
Gerrard celebrates at the final whistle Photo by Gavin Trafford.
It has become a feature of every Liverpool FC game, at Anfield and beyond.
"Make us dream" says the banner held up in hope and expectation by supporters encouraged by the Reds' thrilling pursuit of the Premier League crown.
Steven Gerrard , though, has been here before.
In 2002 and 2009, finishing the season with a flourish wasn't quite enough to end a championship drought that stretches back to 1990.
For the Liverpool skipper, the personal challenge in recent weeks has been to banish any thoughts of filling the glaring gap in his otherwise illustrious honours list.
But with each victory, it becomes an increasingly difficult task.
"I'm trying not to dare to believe," admits Gerrard.
Liverpool fans with their Make Us Dream banner
"Don't get me wrong, it's flashed in and out of the mind from time to time but I think with experience I have learned this can be a ruthless league and one bad performance or one bad error could lead to a draw or a defeat.
"We have to remain focused and just think about the next game.
"The message is that we have won nothing yet.
"We are in a title race. We can't get away from that, we can't deny that as it would just be stupid but from experience I would never get carried away.
"The games are coming thick and fast and there's no time to think, which is a good thing really.
"When you have too much time to think, that's when your mind starts wondering 'what if, what if'.
"Sunderland was a good win for us.
"Everybody was expecting us to roll them over four or five, but it's the same amount of points for the win at the end of the day."
Wednesday's narrow 2-1 victory over the Black Cats ensured a seventh successive Premier League win, Liverpool's best such record since finishing the 2005-06 campaign with nine straight triumphs.
But it was a nervy affair, with the realisation of what was at stake clearly apparent in the second-half performance of the players and the tense atmosphere in the stands.
Gerrard knew what to expect. However, that it's a new experience to so many of his team-mates could work in Liverpool's favour.
"We are a young team, so it's important the experienced lads keep the younger players' feet on the ground and remain humble," he says.
"But the youngsters shouldn't have any fear.
"We have some terrific young players who have fantastic futures ahead of them.
"It should be me getting anxious, as I'm the one running out of time!
"We have to keep trying to get over each hurdle each game, and they are all different tests.
"Sunderland were a side who came to draw with two holding midfielders and five across the back.
"It was difficult for us to break them down but we showed a great winning mentality by hanging on in there and seeing the game out."
Having racked up 12 goals while winning at Southampton, Manchester United and Cardiff City, Liverpool were made to work hard for the three points against Sunderland.
And Gerrard believes the Reds demonstrated the steel required to maintain their title challenge over the final seven games.
"You have to have goals and character to win this league," he says. "Chelsea are the prime example of that, they can steamroller teams but when they need to they show steel and determination.
"If we can steamroller teams, win ugly and have that winning mentality, we will go close."
Gerrard's opener against Sunderland was his ninth goal in his last 13 outings while his next strike will see him join Kenny Dalglish on 172 goals as sixth in the club's list of leading all-time goalscorers.
Gerrard celebrates his goal against Sunderland
The Reds have won over the neutrals by the way in which they have chased down Chelsea and Manchester City at the top of the table with 32 points from 36 since the turn of the year.
But Gerrard concedes there is simply no margin for error.
"It's sometimes easier when you have that target and you know exactly what you have to do," he says.
"We have struggled over the years at home against sides who we should have beaten comfortably.
"We've not really had much to play for at this time of year (in the past few years), but we know the prize that is there at the end.
"We know we can't afford to underperform, take anybody lightly or come into a game with the wrong mentality.
"That's when the slip-up will happen, and we'll be out of it."
Next up is Tottenham Hotspur, a team who just six weeks ago Liverpool led by only three points in what was then expected to be a battle for Champions League qualification.
But the respective form of both teams has seen Spurs, now managed by Tim Sherwood, fall 12 points adrift with their hopes of even a top-five finish under threat.
The 5-0 home defeat to the Reds in December cost former boss Andre Villas-Boas his job, but no team has won more away Premier League games this season than the Londoners.
Liverpool players celebrate the goal by Jon Flanagan against Spurs
"It will be a tough game," says Gerrard. "Tottenham are one of the strongest sides away from home in the Premier League.
"When they have been getting criticism, it's usually been in front of their own fans when the pressure has been on them.
"But they are certainly a good team on the road.
"They have had no midweek game so they will be fresh. We are expecting a tough game. We are in the situation now where we have got to win every game.
"It a cup final mentality, and we have seven to go. We have to go and try win them all."
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