Brendan: We'll allow SG to be at his best
The increased demands of a campaign that has Liverpool competing on four different fronts will not take away from Steven Gerrard's performance levels, insists manager Brendan Rodgers.
Three wins and three defeats have been recorded in 2014-15 so far, with the Reds' captain starting all of the half-dozen fixtures in the Barclays Premier League and Champions League.
Tonight's Capital One Cup third round clash against Middlesbrough may provide an opportunity for the midfielder to take a breather ahead of Saturday's Merseyside derby with Everton.
But, either way, Rodgers has no qualms about his skipper's ability to continue to offer the same standard of influential and talismanic displays for the team this season.
"I have no concerns about him - he is a brilliant player for us," commented the Northern Irishman.
"We have managed his recovery really well in the last two seasons, even when Steven was playing international football.
"If you look at his numbers and games, it has been as good as ever. He is at the age where we need to treat him individually.
"We want him to be involved in the big games because of his experience and we will always taper that recovery to allow him to be at the very best he can be."