STEVEN GERRARD has held his hands up for pushing Fashion Sakala into action too quickly as he vowed to be patient with Ryan Jack and Nnamdi Ofoborh whilst they continue their long-term recoveries.

Sakala missed the victory over Dunfermline last week and was absent from the squad that beat Alashkert 1-0 on Thursday night as Alfredo Morelos scored the only goal of the game.

The striker scored on his debut against Real Madrid but has yet to net a competitive goal as he now works his way back to full fitness with the champions.

Jack is edging closer to a return following surgery earlier this year, while Ofoborh will have further tests on a heart issue that has denied him the chance to feature so far this term.

Gerrard said: "Ryan Jack is progressing well. He is getting closer and closer but obviously we need to be patient with him.

"He has missed a lot of football but he is one that we are really looking forward to having back. Ryan is a standard setter, someone who we have missed, certainly this season, so we are looking forward to getting him back.

"Nnamdi has got further tests next week so we are hoping for some good news in terms of the tests. He has been around the ground and settled in well, we just need to try and get him back in a safe way and be patient on that one as well.

"Sakala has got a bit of a niggle in his groin, I think he is paying for myself and the staff pushing him a little bit too quick, maybe.

"Not getting a full pre-season and we have pushed him in a little bit too quick coming out of the hotel and putting him into full training too quick.

"I think part of that little niggle is on me as well. That is a frustrating one, but what we don’t want to do is put him in while it is niggling away and make it worse. Hopefully he won’t be too far away."