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Dalglish ready to field in Gerrard

Comment: 0 September 21st, 2011 by: admin

IS Steven Gerrard ready for his long-awaited return?

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish thinks he is so he will field in the influential Reds captain when they meet Brighton in their third-round League Cup tussle on Wednesday.

Gerrard has been on the sidelines for six months after suffering a groin injury in March.

The Reds fell to two consecutive setbacks in the Premier League recently, including a 4-0 pounding at Tottenham last Sunday.

Dalglish expects Gerrard’s return would lift the spirits of the squad.

“I’ve said all along, he’s done fantastically well to get where he is,’’ said Dalglish. “We’ll just monitor him and pick the right moment for him and us before we get him back. It’s natural everyone wants to chase Stevie, especially after you have lost 4-0.’’

The 31-year-old midfielder has been out of commission since keying a 3-1 win by Arsenal over Manchester United at Anfield last March 6.

He showed signs that he has recovered when he was back to training two weeks ago and appeared lively in their practice scrimmage last week.

“Now I’m back in with the boys, it’s a completely different ballgame but I’m  looking forward to being involved with the lads  in games in the coming weeks,’’ Gerrard said earlier this month.

The Reds finished with just nine men against Tottenham after Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were banished off the pitch. They will be suspended for the trip to the south coast..

To make adjustments, Dalglish is tipped to insert teenagers Danny Wilson, John Flanagan and Jack Robinson to his lineup against Brighton.

The absence of Adam at midfield could also spur Dalglish to start Gerrard, who has played in only six of the 29 games wherein Dalglish has been in charge.

The Seagulls, a second-tier club from the Football League Championship, are at present third in the Championship. They were promoted from third tier last season.

Despite facing a stronger side in the Reds, Brighton manager Gus Poyet expressed confidence that his players can perform well despite a hectic two-day schedule that will also put them against visiting Leeds on Friday.

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