Dalglish: No Stevie risks
Kenny Dalglish has revealed his delight at being able to call upon the services of Steven Gerrard once again - but insists no risks will be taken with the fitness of the Liverpool captain.
The midfielder made his first appearance since late October as a second-half substitute against Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day and is in contention to be involved against Newcastle United tonight.
However, while delighted with Gerrard's current condition, Dalglish is adamant the Reds will err on the side of caution as they look to ease him back into the groove.
"Steven looks unbelievably fit at the moment," said the boss. "We have to manage the number of minutes he gets on the pitch and we will build it up from there.
"We will just take it as diligently as we always do. We won't go stupidly throwing him in if he's not ready to last.
"We won't take a chance. We would rather have him until the end of the season than just for one game. He has done fantastic to get back to where he is."
Gerrard's return to action will undoubtedly provide Liverpool with another goal threat - but Dalglish is eager to stress the England international will require time to build up his fitness before he is firing on all cylinders once again.
"Steven will help with that (goal scoring) because he's got goals, he's got charisma and he's got presence," said the Scot. "He's got everything but we can't throw everything on to Steven. We can't say Steven is coming back, he's going to be the one to do this or that.
"He has only played 20 minutes. If we are going to be a one-man band then we have no chance.
"If we are going to appreciate what we have and respect the people who play with you and for you then we have a better chance. If we have different attitudes then we are knackered.
"Every single one of them would like to score a few more goals. If you go through the list of goals from last year to this year everyone is down, apart from maybe Maxi (Rodriguez).
"We look upon it as a collective problem but we will keep getting in there and making opportunities. They all enjoy what they are doing."
Dalglish admits it's been disappointing to have been without the services of Gerrard for much of 2011-12 so far, with injuries restricting the 31-year-old to just six appearances this term.
Nonetheless, the boss believes his No.8 can play a decisive role in the Liverpool's fortunes over the remainder of the campaign as they chase a top-four finish and an appearance at Wembley in the Carling Cup final.
"Everybody knows how important and how influential Steven is," Dalglish said.
"He's made a massive contribution to the success of this football club and made it in the games when they really meant something.
"It's been a disappointment not having him available for selection but hopefully the bad luck is behind him now and he deserves a bit of good fortune.
"We can't think about what if Steven had been available more. It would only be natural to assume that he would make a positive contribution to the team.
"It's just a great credit to the lads that they have done as well as they have done without him.
"If we have been playing well without Steven and we have been, then it makes us even stronger now he's back. Where is that going to take us? I think Russell Grant is your man."