Gerrard backed to keep going

The midfielder, who turns 33 in May, has played every minute of Liverpool's 30 Premier League matches this season, and that has seen him score eight goals and provide nine assists.

Gerrard, like the rest of his team-mates, has benefited from a new training and recovery programme tailored to individual needs, and Driscoll believes that is reflected in his performances.

"We had confidence that, if managed correctly, Steven would be able to achieve everything he has achieved this year," Driscoll said.

"Four or five years ago, people were saying it was very unlikely that Steven - with his injury history - would ever achieve this, let alone reach the milestones he has hit this year in terms of playing time at the age of 32.

"It's a credit to Steven himself; his professionalism is second to none.

"Steven has confidence now that he can play at the highest level into his mid-30s - that's fantastic news for Liverpool."

The club's medical department underwent an overhaul when new manager Brendan Rodgers took over in the summer and Driscoll thinks those changes are now making a significant difference.

"We have around 90 per cent availability rate this year with injuries, which is really good," he told Liverpoolfc.com.

"We've hit all the targets that we wanted to from a medical science perspective.

"We've looked very fit and we're pleased that we've made them fit for purpose.

"Naturally, if you've got most of your players available, it's clearly going to improve the probability of winning games."

Jones urges patient approach

With owners Fenway Sports Group looking to run the club on a more sound footing with Financial Fair Play in mind, the Reds are never likely to be in a position to compete with Europe's biggest spenders.

While the Americans have provided funds for significant purchases in the past, there is still a desire to see more value for money attained in the transfer market.

So with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Andre Wisdom and Suso all making significant contributions to the first team this season, the intention is for the club's academy to play a bigger role in the future.

Jones believes this, added to the progress made under manager Brendan Rodgers, points to a brighter future as they look to regain Champions League status.

"It is difficult to say (how much ground we have to make up)," said the Australian, speaking at an event for charity Anthony Nolan.

"The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have spent unbelievable amounts of money. Liverpool haven't necessarily done that.

"It was documented a couple of years ago when the new owners came in and spent a fair bit in one go but you have to remember 50million of that came in from Fernando Torres.

"If you ask the teams that have, shall we say, 'bought' a winning team I don't think their fans will care because they have won something.

"But if you get to the top from building I think the fans grow with the team.

"When you get there there will be that extra bit of pride but for us we just have to keep building on what we have got and what the club have done."

Jones added: "The club aren't trying to go out and buy the league in one season.

"The owners are quite clever, they have seen it in other sports. For them it is a slow process, it is not going to happen overnight.

"I think they will be happy with what they have seen this season and obviously they will want it to move forward and make that next step and hopefully that will be next season.

"That is the direction we're going in and it is a good place to be."

Jones and his partner Dani Lawrence are prominent supporters of Anthony Nolan, the UK blood cancer charity, after the goalkeeper's six-year-old son Luca from a previous relationship died from leukaemia in November 2011.

They were present at an event at Anfield, also supported by the Liverpool FC Foundation, aimed at promoting the donor register.

"It was something that, after we lost Luca, we wanted to spread the word and get people on the list and have a legacy for him," explained Jones.

"When people hear bone marrow transplant they think 'pain' and it is really not like that, it is more like giving blood, and it is trying to get rid of those negative connotations.

"We are in a privileged position where I am at a massive club and people will follow what we do and listen to what we are saying.

"Obviously it is a positive to get people on the register and that means there is more chance of people getting a donor.

"We are trying to help others because it wasn't until we were there we realised just how hard it was."

Mark Haig, head of operations at the LFC Foundation, said the club occupied a unique position in being able to reach areas of the community others could not.

"The Foundation is quite broad but this initiative around Anthony Nolan we are very much supporting because we have a very close relationship with Liverpool NHS," he said.

"We can actually connect easier than agencies like the NHS because of the power of the LFC badge and the way people respond to it in different ways."

Reina and Carragher could return

First-choice goalkeeper Reina has missed the Reds' last two games with a calf problem while veteran defender Carragher was ruled out of the defeat at Southampton earlier this month with a shin injury.

Reina has since been on the bench for Spain's internationals against Finland last week and France on Tuesday.

First-team coach Mike Marsh told the club's website: "They're both available for selection, so it's a possibility."

Liverpool have reported no fresh injury concerns following the latest round of international fixtures.

Marsh said: "We seem to have come through unscathed.

"We've got one or two players missing who are flying back from international duty.

"They will arrive back tomorrow, they will still be in recovery and hopefully they will train on Friday."

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher delighted with recent form

At the start of the 2012/13 campaign, it was suggested that the veteran centre-half would struggle to hold down a regular role when faced with competition from the likes of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.

Carragher did drop out of the Liverpool side for a spell, but has forced his way back into Brendan Rodgers' thoughts since Christmas.

He has justified his inclusion with a number of assured displays and is delighted to have played his part in the Reds' resurgence.

The 35-year-old has already announced that he will retire at the end of the season, and he is hoping he can maintain his high standards and bow out on a high.

Carragher told the Liverpool Echo: "At the start of the season I was aware that some people were saying I wouldn't suit Rodgers' style of football. But I think I have put that to bed in the last few games I have played.

"I think I've played well this season, without blowing my own trumpet. Even earlier in the season when I was playing in Europe and in the Carling Cup, I was quite pleased with how I performed.

"Hopefully I can carry that through to the end of the season.

"I enjoy the international week because you get to see some of the young lads who have come down from the academy.

"It's a good time to recharge physically and mentally and get ready for Aston Villa (on Sunday)."

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers praises Jordan Henderson's attitude

Henderson has not started the last four Premier League games for the Reds, which has seen victories over Swansea, Wigan and Spurs followed by a 3-1 defeat at Southampton last time out.

But Rodgers knows if he needs to juggle his resources and bring the midfielder into his starting line-up, the 22-year-old will be ready to play his part.

Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "It's just the balance and it depends on the opponent.

"Jordan has been excellent and his attitude has been great. The team has been winning as well.

"But Jordan has been excellent, he's a good player, he's improving tactically all the time and I know if I need to call on him he will be ready."

Juventus rule out making an imminent move for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez

The Uruguayan last week stunned Liverpool by revealing he would be willing to leave Anfield, triggering interest from around Europe.

However, Marotta insisted Juventus are not about to make a bid for either Suarez, Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez or Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

He told Italia 2: "Who would I like as a birthday gift between Sanchez and Suarez? I am happy with our players and I cherish them. At this time of the season, we don't think about the [transfer] market.

"Ibrahimovic? He is a champion, but Juventus has economic parameters, which must be respected, and his salary is higher than these."

Marotta also ruled out coach Antonio Conte leaving the club.

He added: "There is not clause in his contract, but I think he will remain for many years and may get a lot of satisfaction from Juventus."

Gerrard desperate for result

Roy Hodgson's side will go into the Group H qualifying clash in Podgorica two points adrift of the group leaders after both countries triumphed - against San Marino and Moldova respectively - on Friday evening.

But Gerrard has faith in his team-mates to come away with a positive result in the final qualifier for six months.

When asked if the outcome will go a long way to deciding the group, Gerrard said: "I wouldn't say so. I don't think the result is crucial.

"Yes, it is very important and puts either side in control of the group who wins.

"But I don't think it's the end of the world if we don't get the result we want.

"We are confident to do a job here. I think a defeat here would be very damaging to us. Let's hope that is not the case. We are confident to get a result."

Gerrard believes England will have to play to their potential to achieve a positive result.

He said: "We believe, if we play to our level, we are more than capable of three points and that's what we have come here for.

"We know we've got to play close to our maximum to beat this good team. We know if we play anywhere near our level, we will get the result.

"We are concentrating on what the manager wants of us, to be very good defensively and play attacking football when we get the ball."

Gerrard, who missed the 2-2 draw in Podgorica 17 months ago through injury, will relish playing in such a crucial fixture.

But he will not be making any special speech in the dressing room before the game.

He said: "These are the big games you want to play in. These are the atmospheres and stages you want to perform on as a player and a team.

"We will get a lot of credit if we get the result.

"Will I say anything before game? Not really. I just say my piece along with anyone else who wants to speak as well. The manager gives all the players the opportunity to speak.

"I don't think this is a game for talking. All the players realise how important it is and we need to do our talking on the pitch

"I've got a lot of confidence in my team-mates. They've got some wonderful technicians but I've got confidence we are a better team if we play to our ability."