Gerrard struggled to get into the match last night after recently returning from an injury picked up whilst playing for England, although played out of position out on the right and later at fullback.
But Gerard Houllier has attributed the midfielder's dip in form to the injury sustained on international duty, and subsequently Gerrard's inability to compete as normal.
He said: "Didi and Salif have been playing well of late and it will help Steven to play in a position where he has to take the initiative.
"But physically he is not up to it at the moment. When a player comes back from injury you have to be very careful."
