Gerrard has been out for almost three weeks with a hamstring injury, and his original return date was for next Wednesday's Champions League clash away to Real Madrid.

But the Liverpool captain has returned to training this week and there is a possibility he will be in the squad against Mark Hughes' side.

Gerrard will probably get no further than the substitutes' bench, and his midfield colleague Alonso said: "It is good to see Stevie coming back but we have to wait until he is 100%.

"It is not intelligent to rush him back. Whenever he feels okay he will be a big part of our squad again."

Alonso, who will serve a one-match ban for accumulating five yellow cards, admits he will be a frustrated observer on Sunday.

He said: "It is always frustrating to watch games from the stands but I have known for a while I was likely to miss a match at some point and it has to be this one on Sunday.

"The important thing is all our international players came back fit last week and we have all also had some time off.

"It is important to have some time to disconnect during the middle of the season and now we can look forward to the game with Manchester City, which is going to be very important for us if we want to challenge for the title.

"Hopefully it will not be as dramatic as our game at City when we were two goals down at half-time. We had to play with a lot of belief in that second half and score three goals, which eventually we managed.

"This time hopefully it will be more comfortable.

"But they are a good team even though they have not got the best of away records this season, so we know we will be in for a tough match."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez rested Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt from the side that won last time out at Portsmouth, both coming on late as substitutes to turn the match.

Both are expected to start this time, while Lucas will return after suspension, with Fabio Aurelio returning to full-back after a stint in midfield at Fratton Park.