Johnson: You can't teach that
Glen Johnson believes Steven Gerrard's return to action has provided the rest of the Liverpool players with a boost after the skipper's inspirational cameo performance in Friday night's 3-1 win over Newcastle.
With the scoreline tied at 1-1, Gerrard entered the action as a 59th minute substitute and quickly set about helping the Reds lay siege to the visitors' goal in the final half hour of the contest before typically netting the decisive third goal himself.
"Steve came on and made a massive difference in the last 30 minutes," Johnson said.
"Some of the stuff he does you just can't teach. We have definitely missed him and we're just glad to have him back.
"It's a big lift for everyone having our captain back out there. He's been training hard, working well with the fitness lads and hopefully he will be starting games again soon."
Gerrard's late third added to an earlier brace from Craig Bellamy, who took his tally for the season to five to cap an impressive performance against one of his former clubs.
Johnson added: "It was a fantastic win for us and it was really important we got back to winning ways after the draw with Blackburn.
"Craig came into the side tonight and did really well. They were two great goals and the longer he keeps playing like that the better."
The result meant Kenny Dalglish's side signed off from 2011 in the best possible fashion.
It's been a year of progress and positivity around Anfield - and Johnson is excited by what Liverpool can achieve in 2012.
"It's a great end to the year for us and now we want to keep this going," said the defender. "The more games we win the more confidence we will get.
"We've got one of the best defensive records in the league and hopefully we will start putting a few more goals away.
"If we want to get into the top four then we need to make Anfield a fortress again.
"We have to be looking to beat every team that comes here. We got off to a good start against Newcastle and now we must try to keep that going."