Boss: 'Special' Stevie ready for showdown

The Reds will return to Wembley for the first time in three years at the weekend to take on Tim Sherwood's outfit in the final four of the competition - and Gerrard will be available for selection. 

A straight red card, shown within a minute of the skipper's introduction against Manchester United at Anfield on March 22, prevented him from playing any part in Liverpool's last three encounters. 

However, the midfielder took part in a match at Melwood this week to ensure he was up to speed - and Rodgers believes Gerrard can play his part when the Reds return to the national stadium on Sunday. 

"He's definitely ready," Rodgers told reporters gathered for his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "We played a behind-closed-doors game here on Monday, which he and a few of the other players that have been out played in. 

"Steven's fine. The most important thing is his availability. He's a special footballer, Steven, and Wembley is somewhere he knows very well. So whether he plays or doesn't play, he'll be a very important member of the squad for us on the day. 

"He's a special player. He still is. He's been, throughout his time here, an incredible player who has, in the main, in the big games, produced big goals and big moments. 

"He always produces a great contribution to the team. So the most important thing was having him back. But he knows Wembley very well and he's someone who has got that special quality." 

Like Gerrard, Martin Skrtel will be back in the fold for the fixture after serving his three-game suspension for an incident which occurred in the defeat to United at Anfield.

The Slovakian has been a pivotal figure for the Reds this season, according to his manager, who explained how Skrtel's return to action will bring an added boost to the side.

"He's been outstanding this season," said Rodgers. "Whether we've played in a back-four or a back-three. In the last couple of years he's really come to the fore in terms of the team. It's great to have him back. He looks fit and strong, so he'll also be available.

"He's very well-liked and respected at the club, Martin. The first six months when I came in here were difficult for him. He was having to adapt to a new way of working and playing. He didn't moan, he didn't complain.

"He sat in the office and looked through his strengths and the areas that he needed to improve on and he took that onto the training field and worked his way back in [to the team].

"Since that moment, he's stayed in the team and been outstanding. So he's a real strong character. He's a great player to have in your dressing room. His performance level this year has been outstanding."

Rodgers also revealed the Reds will assess the fitness of Daniel Sturridge ahead of the clash, after the striker missed the victory over Newcastle United on Monday due to a knock he sustained to his hip.

"We'll give Dan every possibility to be fit for the game," said the Northern Irishman. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and then we'll take it from there."

Standing in the way of Rodgers' side and a place in the FA Cup final will be a Villa team still somewhat embroiled in a scrap to stay in the Barclays Premier League, but buoyed by the appointment of Sherwood in February. 

"Tim has gone in and done well - he's brought a new leadership to the group and they have responded," said Rodgers. "They're still fighting down there. They got a really good result last week [by beating Tottenham Hotspur]. 

"I like Tim - he's very passionate. He's one of few British coaches working at the level and we always seem to have to fight that bit harder to prove our worth and he's certainly doing that and doing very well." 

Liverpool have struggled against Villa at Anfield in recent years - with their last win over the Midlands club on home soil arriving in December 2010. 

Earlier this campaign, under the stewardship of Paul Lambert, the Villans inflicted a 1-0 defeat on the Reds, while the season previous, Rodgers' side were forced to battle back from a two-goal deficit to clinch a 2-2 draw. 

During the Northern Irishman's first year in charge, the Reds endured a 3-1 defeat against Villa - but Rodgers insists there have been lessons learned from the L4 record. 

"If I analyse the home games, we've been probably caught on the counter-attack a number of times," said the manager. "We conceded a poor goal when we lost 1-0 at home from a corner and that was a disappointing result. 

"[In 2012] before that they were better than us when they won. But away from home, it's always been totally different. We've always, in the main, controlled the game and played well. 

"We've controlled the counter-attacks and put in a good performance. Of course, it's a different arena, a different type of game and Tim's done well since he has gone in."