Houllier hints at Gerrard return

With three games in the next week it is expected that the England midfielder's spell on the bench will be shortlived.

Houllier said: "He is part of the squad and don't forget he was still in the 16 for last week's game against Sunderland.

"He has shown a massive improvement recently and with three games coming up in a short spell of time, he will be involved.

"Stevie knows I did not criticise him in the press and he trusts me on that. All I said to him was not to read the newspapers, no matter what they were saying."