Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish was happy to hand skipper Steve Gerrard a late cameo in their 2-1 Carling Cup win over Brighton.
Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt scored the goals which put Liverpool through to the next round, Bellamy's low strike in the seventh minute his debut goal for the club following his return.
Ashley Barnes pulled a late goal back for Brighton from the spot after Jamie Carragher fouled Vicente Rodriguez.
"If it had been four or five goals we'd have maybe given him a bit longer," Dalglish told Sky Sports.
"We'll say again what we've said many times before, we'll manage Steven as well as we've managed everyone else and we'll look forward to that continuing.
"We're not going to throw him in and give him too many minutes. It's fantastic to see him back so don't let's spoil it by being irresponsible.
"We want to see the talisman back and he's on his way there which is great for everybody.
"He's suffered a lot and he's been through a lot and he's made a lot of sacrifices to get where he is."
