Dalglish banks on Gerrard factor

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish hopes captain Steven Gerrard’s return will help bring more goals to his misfiring team.

Dalglish’s men have scored 21 goals this season, less than the English Premier League’s bottom two clubs, Bolton and Blackburn.

However, Dalglish insists Gerrard, who has not started a game since late October, will still be introduced back to the side slowly.

The Scot told The Guardian: “We could do with a few more goals, and Steven may be able to help us with that, he’s got goals in him, as well as charisma, presence and everything else.”

“But every player in the side is capable of scoring goals, we can’t just put it all on Steven’s shoulders. If we are going to be a one-man band we’ve no chance.”

“Every single one of us is going to have to score a few more goals, there’s no magic formula. He looks unbelievably fit at the moment, I think he feels the bad luck might all be behind him now.”

“He just needs game time, but we won’t be irresponsible, we’ll just take it as diligently and professionally as we always do. There’s no need to throw him straight in.”

“He’s not ready to last 90 minutes yet, and he’s experienced enough to recognise that. There’s no panic.”

“We’d rather have him for the rest of the season than just a couple of games right away.”

Dalglish also hailed Gerrard’s impact off the field throughout his injury period and is delighted to have several leaders around the club, with vice-captain Jamie Carragher and stand-in skipper Pepe Reina also receiving praise.

“It’s great to have Steven playing again, but he’s never really been away from the club,” Dalglish said.

“He’s always in and around the club and the training ground anyway, just like Jamie Carragher. It’s a bit like having three captains at the moment and that can only make us stronger.”

“There’s no doubt that Steven has made a massive contribution to the success of this football club, and he’s managed to do it in a lot of the games that really meant something.”