On a balmy Anfield evening, where the villagers from Llansantfraid left bloodied but not unbowed, a crowd of 44,760 - larger than any Anfield attendance last season - were rewarded for forsaking their holidays to witness Gerrard's hat-trick. How grateful his public will be that he spurned a move to Stamford Bridge
The dream of the greatest shock in the competition's history expired at just before 8pm when, after seven minutes and 26 seconds of this miss-match, Gerrard planted a right-foot shot beyond Gerard Doherty. When Gerrard scored his second, in the 21st minute, the tie was over.
TNS had the audacity to actually break into Liverpool's half before John Arne Riise probed down the left, his cross was touched on firstly by Anthony le Tallec, then Fernando Morientes, before Gerrard thanked them for their support by claiming the first goal.
Earlier in the day, Liverpool moved again in the transfer market, and at the same time, ensured two of their key players were not unsettled by the latest foray.
Liverpool are close to completing a £7.5 million deal for Real Zaragoza's Argentine centre-back Gabriel Milito, but at the same time, granted a new contract to Sami Hyypia and offered a pay rise to fellow defender John Arne Riise.
Liverpool started with six players who featured in that memorable night in Istanbul 49 days ago.
In addition, manager Rafael Benitez included three more members of the Champions League winning side on the bench. Notably, though, the hero of Turkey was absent with Jerzy Dudek, whose penalty saves earned Liverpool the right to keep the trophy, not even a substitute.
Benitez gave a debut to £6 million goalkeeper Fose Reina, signed recently from Villareal. Another newcomer, former Middlesbrough midfielder Bolo Zenden, started on the bench.
TNS's squad comprised 10 Liverpool fans and four Evertonians, so when the anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' echoed from the stands before the players emerged, is was possible to imagine the men in green and white hoops linking arms and singing along.
The early goal ensured the Liverpool fans in the Welsh side would not overcome their heroes and soon afterwards it took a double save from Doherty, the TNS captain, to deny first Gerrard then Morientes.
The Welsh champions may not have matched Liverpool for skill, but when Phil Baker launched into Morientes - and was booked - TNS made it clear they were going to make their mark.
Reina had to catch a 30-yard attempt from Michael Wilde but Liverpool extended their lead when Gerrard dispossessed Steve Evans before chipping Doherty. The Liverpool captain looked almost embarrassed by his early goals.
More should have followed before the interval; Riise shot wide before Le Tallec, Morientes and Steve Finnan were denied by the busy Doherty.
There was no doubting the gulf in class on the pitch, however, even if TNS did not disgrace themselves. They were fortunate, though, not to succumb to the brilliance of Gerrard again in the 50th minute when the England midfielder was denied a third after his chip glanced the upperside of the cross bar.
TNS made an alteration soon into the second half when lone striker Wilde was replaced by former Everton youth team player Steven Beck, but it did little to alter the perspective of this tie.
Zenden got his debut soon after and then Morientes wasted another chance, heading over Riise's cross.
TNS go into next Tuesday's return, at Wrexham, with pride intact though Gerrard's third, a long-range effort in the 89th minute, made certain that any shock is out of the question.