United still have games in hand over the Reds, but Fowler sees no reason why Liverpool can't come out on top in the race to finish second and secure automatic Champions League football next season.

"We had been getting some bad results, now it is up to us to make up the ground and catch Manchester United," he said.

"We are confident we can catch them, we are not shouting about it but we believe we can do it.

"The goals we all got against Fulham will just boost that confidence higher.

"Now we must push on at Newcastle and then Birmingham and build on this in the final games of the season."

He added: "It was a great feeling to finally score for Liverpool again. It's been a long time and I'm happy to be off the mark.

"There's been a lot of talk about our strikers misfiring and we have answered that now. It wasn't for the want of trying, we'd been getting into positions, but against Fulham it clicked and it was very pleasing.

"First and foremost it was about getting the three points but we got that added bonus of three of the strikers scoring, myself Fernando and Peter. It was very pleasing for all concerned, and now we are looking for more in these next two games."