BR on Steven brace and cup ambitions

The manager once more deployed a 3-4-3 formation against the League Two outfit, but on this occasion with his captain in an attacking role in behind Rickie Lambert and alongside Philippe Coutinho.

He thrived there from the off. 12 minutes were on the clock when he picked out the supporting Javier Manquillo on the right flank, strode into the area and bravely stuck out his forehead to direct into the net for 1-0.

Adebayo Akinfenwa brought the hosts onto level terms when he capitalised on a scramble from a corner to prod low beyond Simon Mignolet and equalise shortly before the interval at Kingsmeadow.

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But Gerrard was not to be stopped - a foul on Coutinho created a shooting opportunity from a free-kick and again the skipper's technique was faultless in curling the set-piece over the wall and into the top corner.

"He was outstanding in the game, it was a brilliant individual performance from him and the real catalyst for us," was Rodgers' assessment as he fielded questions at his post-match press conference.

"It was a tough game overall; we started the game quite well but then gave the ball away cheaply. In the second half, we were much better.

"He scored two and if he was a really selfish player, he might have stayed on the ball and got himself a hat-trick - but he was still trying to create opportunities for other players.

"He was outstanding tonight and it was a good win for us. I've played him in a number of positions because he's an incredible footballer. His intelligence and football brain is second to none.

"He played at the top of the midfield box and you saw his creativity, cleverness and brightness. I used him as a playmaker for 18 months, starting the games from behind when we had other players in the team up at the top. I moved him forward tonight and he was outstanding."

The third round tie was the No.8's first appearance since the announcement was made last week that he will bid an emotional farewell to Liverpool when the current season concludes in May.

He has since talked of his burning desire to lift at least one more trophy with the Reds and it has been noted in many quarters that the FA Cup final is scheduled for May 30 - Gerrard's 35th birthday.

"It would be nice," said the boss of a potential dream send-off for the captain at Wembley. "There'd be no better way. For him himself, it would be a wonderful send-off for him.

"But there are a lot of games to play in between. We've targeted a cup victory this season and progress in the league. So we're still very much in line for that moving into the second part of the season.

"The team is still very focused and we played some really good football tonight on a difficult pitch. The idea is to get a cup and if we can do it, then that would be really special, of course."

Liverpool were made to work hard for their win over Wimbledon, with the Dons simply refusing to be deflated following the deadlock-breaker and, in fact, mounting significant pressure in the opposite direction.

Rodgers felt sloppiness in possession hindered his team in the lead-up to the half-time break but overall was satisfied with the efforts of his players at the conclusion of a busy festive fixture schedule.

He reflected: "I thought we started the game really well and maybe thought that after the early goal we would go on and win more comfortably.

"We just ran out of our positions too much, we started to lose our positioning, which doesn't allow us to keep the ball as well as we wanted.

"That offered them opportunities in the space that we were leaving, because we couldn't keep it and gave the ball away cheaply in the final 15 minutes of the first half - after having most of the control and the opportunities.

"You know teams are very good at set-pieces and can cause you a problem. But once we organised it better in the second half, we controlled it more.

"We had one or two scares, which you'll get playing against that type of team that can deliver it into the box. But we really should have went on and scored more goals.

"It was a very tight game; Neal [Ardley] did a brilliant job with his team tonight because I thought they were very well organised and passed it well at the right times. He has done very well here.

"I also give big credit to the players because we knew it was a tricky game; they had a lot more days to prepare physically.

"We're coming off the back of a lot of games and came here tonight and put in real intensity in our game. We finish the Christmas period as such in a good moment and now we look to Sunderland."

The draw for the competition's fourth round was conducted before kick-off at Kingsmeadow, pairing the tie's winners with Bolton Wanderers in a home clash later this month.

"Any team will tell you that you want to be playing at home," said Rodgers. "I'm looking forward to it because it's at Anfield and we love playing there in front of our own supporters.

"Also a good friend of mine, Neil Lennon, [manages Bolton]. He's done great since he's gone in to Bolton. We'll look forward to that when it comes around. But there's a really important game for us now at the weekend against Sunderland."