Steven Gerrard
Injuries have ravaged the Liverpool skipper's season. REUTERS

Jamie Redknapp believes that Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard could not be returning to the pitch for the club at a better time, with the England international hoping to become a regular feature for the squad for the first time in over 12 months.

Just when Gerrard was making his comeback this season from a groin injury, the midfielder suffered an ankle infection that put him out of action for a further few months, and was only able to make his second return to the pitch on Boxing Day against Blackburn.

And while Liverpool were unable to take a win from the match, drawing 1-1 with the relegation favourites, Redknapp believes that Gerrard's return will strengthen the Reds in the face of adversity.

"Liverpool have scored fewer goals in the league than two of the bottom three, but their Superman is about to return," he wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

"It's easy to forget how good captain Steven Gerrard is.

"I was watching footage of him on Liverpool TV recently and told Charley Redknapp (age seven) to come and sit and watch with me. That's how to play, son.

"Gerrard and Luis Suarez have only played together three times this season.

With [Luis] Suarez due to start a ban, Gerrard's likely return could not have come at a better time."

Liverpool have suffered numerous setbacks this month, with Suarez currently getting ready to appeal an eight game ban after being found guilty of using racially abusive language against Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra.

The club have also dropped important points against the likes of Blackburn, Wigan and Fulham this month, leaving them outside the top four as the January transfer window rolls around.

The Reds look very likely to bolster their forward line, with Andy Carroll failing to produce up front, and Suarez looking to serve at least some time away from the pitch for his words against Evra, and the club will also reportedly be on the lookout for defenders to make up for the loss of Lucas Leiva.

But with Gerrard available once more, Liverpool have been handed a boost amongst the troubles, and the 31 year old could be the boost that the Anfield club need to push themselves into Champions League contention.