Sven-Goran Eriksson has pledged to build a Manchester City squad strong enough to cope with the twin demands of Europe and the Barclays Premier League.

The former England boss is only six months into the 'project' outlined to him by new City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, yet already he is well ahead of schedule.

Victory over Liverpool at Eastlands on Sunday will take City back into the top four and while few expect them to stay there, it would now almost be a surprise if Eriksson does not guide his team into a UEFA Cup spot.

Yet Eriksson is acutely aware his own squad lags behind that of the Premier League's big four.

The Blues paid a heavy price for resting midfield duo Elano and Dietmar Hamann for Thursday's encounter with Blackburn as Roque Santa Cruz's controversial late header ended their 100% home record.

And, with the transfer window approaching, Eriksson knows he needs greater depth in his playing pool than exists at present.

He said: "We have a good squad but if you look at the big four, they have bigger squads with quality all over.

"But we will have that in the future too. That is a must if you want to play European football.

"If you try another way, you might do well in Europe and badly in the league.

"But if you want to hold a certain level in both, you must have a big squad."

Having already secured the services of Mexico international Nery Castillo, Eriksson might decide now is a good time to offload £8.8million front-man Rolando Bianchi, whose latest outburst about life in England has undermined the progress he has made with three goals in his last four games.

A sheer lack of numbers mean Bianchi's services will be required against Liverpool, whose skipper Steven Gerrard is a man Eriksson knows well and respects even more.

"Steven is one of the best players you can find. He has everything," said Eriksson.

"He can defend. He can tackle incredibly well. He has vision, he is an extremely good passer. He can shoot, score goals and has the energy to get up and down the pitch.

"It is very difficult to say who is the best player in the country but Steven is certainly one of them - and has been for a long time now.

"As long as I was England manager, he was extremely important to me. He was important to England last year after I left and he will be very important in the future as well."

Eriksson admits stopping Gerrard will be no easy task for his progressive team.

With youngster Michael Johnson missing, City will probably rely on the experience of Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate Hamann.

"I am not sure how to stop Steven," said Eriksson.

"We shall have to find a way but I do know if you give him space and time and the chance to run forward with or without the ball, he is incredible."