Brendan Rodgers has hailed the return of Steven Gerrard from injury, as he claims that the 33-year-old is still one important members of the squad. Gerrard missed important matches against the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
Even though Liverpool enjoyed a comprehensive victory over Tottenham, they lost in the subsequent two matches to finish in the fifth position on New Year’s Day. The victory over Hull city on New Year’s Day was marked by the return of Gerrard to the first-team action and Rodgers reckons that Liverpool could not have had a much better news.
The club has been criticised in recent years for their overreliance on Gerrard, but the situation has changed comparatively following the arrival of players like Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. The injury to Sturridge and Gerrard left the pressure on Suarez to get the goals, which will now be eased following Gerrard’s arrival. The England international has been used in a deeper role by Rodgers this season and he is not expected to score the same number of goals as he has done in the past.
Liverpool managed a convincing 2-0 win over Hull at Anfield that kept them in contention for the top four. The club face Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup third-round.
“It’s vitally important to have Steven back. His influence in the team is critical for us. He’s worked tirelessly to get back having been out. We just wanted to get him some minutes on the pitch. He wasn’t ready to start the game, but his influence back in the team gives us another player of real quality. Over the course of the next 10 days, he’ll get right up to speed and it’s great to have him back,” said Rodgers.
Liverpool trail leaders Arsenal by six points at the halfway stage of the season.