Brendan Rodgers has revealed Steven Gerrard was withdrawn at half-time during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Sunderland as a precaution, while confirming Raheem Sterling will return to Melwood next week.

Gerrard played the first half of the Reds' victory at the Stadium of Light before being replaced by Dejan Lovren during the interval due to a hamstring issue.

The captain will now be assessed by the club's medical team, and Rodgers explained: "It was just precautionary.

"He'll have a scan on his hamstring. It just felt a little bit tight, so we'll just need to manage that and see how it is."

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Meanwhile, Rodgers will welcome Sterling back into the ranks for next weekend's trip to Aston Villa.

Having figured in 28 games already this season, the winger was afforded a break by the boss and sat out the fixtures with Wimbledon and Sunderland in order to keep him fresh for the second half of the campaign.

Rodgers said: "Raheem will be back next week. It's something that was already planned from the summer.

"In my time here, in two and a half years, he's come from the youth team through to becoming a full international player and one of the best young players in European football.

"There's a lot asked of him and if I was selfish I would maybe have him here with me for every single minute because he's been brilliant, but I need to think of the kid and the long-term for Liverpool and for him.

"I felt after the Christmas period, because he's played a lot for me - he's played over 100 games already as a kid and he's just turned 20 - it would be a good period for him to have a rest.

"He missed the FA Cup tie and missed today's game, then he rejoins us again next week and will be fresh and fit for the second half of the season."