Stevie G is back and raring to go

KENNY DALGLISH reckons Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is looking sharper than ever.

Gerrard, 31, returned from injury on Boxing Day as a second-half substitute in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn.

And Dalglish is keen to ease the midfielder

back into action before unleashing him in the starting line-up.

King Kenny said: "Steven was back to full fitness before he got a freak injury and that's why he had to recover again.

"But the two of them weren't related and he is back and looks even better than he did the last time he came back.

"We are not going to be irresponsible and throw him in and take a chance.

"We know he's fit and we know he just needs game time in the same way as we monitored him through last time and we'll do the same this time.

"He looks superb at the moment."

Dalglish is well aware of the boost Gerrard's presence brings to his squad.

But he insists the Reds have never been short of leaders, even in the England star's absence.

The Scot added: "We have got three captains in the dressing room in Stevie, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina.

"We've always said it's best to have your strongest players, your best players, fit and around the squad so we've got the three captains in there now and it must make us better and stronger.

"Given a bit of luck in front of goal I think it will make us a lot stronger on the pitch as well."