Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was delighted with Steven Gerrard's performance in victory over Newcastle United.
The Kop skipper came off the bench to seal a victory set up by Craig Bellamy's double against his old club.
Dalglish said: "When Steven is not playing he is influential.
"He has got a lot of years to go yet which we can look forward to. The injury he had was a freak.
"I am just delighted for the boy as he has worked so hard to get back fit.
"We thoroughly deserved the win on the balance of play. Some of the football was good. We could have had more goals but we're certainly very happy with three." "You can add the word hugely in front of influential when he is playing. He is getting back to fitness.
