Dalglish: Gerrard progress 'hugely encouraging' and well on his way to recovery."

Kenny Daglish has allayed fears that Steven Gerrard could be set for a lengthy layoff by claiming the Liverpool captain is 'well on his way' to full fitness.

Gerrard has made only five appearances for the Reds since March following a succession of injury setbacks relating, in the main, to a persistent groin complaint.

However, Gerrard is currently sidelined with an ankle infection, and has been forced to sit out of Liverpool's last two encounters, as well as the England squad that will face Spain.

Dalglish, though, was able to give a positive update on the progress of his captain following the weekend's goalless draw with Swansea City.

"He's fine," said the Liverpool boss. "Everything been checked and the figures are hugely encouraging and well on his way to recovery."

Liverpool were left frustrated by the Swans at Anfield on Saturday as Michel Vorm, in particular, excelled for Brendan Rodgers' side.

And Dalglish concedes his side still have plenty of things to work on in order to improve their all-round performance.

"We just need to keep working on it and keep getting in there," he added.

"But we haven't got in there as often as we have done in the past games. They are problems we can solve ourselves.

"We have to look at ourselves and expect better performances than what we produced there."

Agger slams Liverpool's 'headless chickens'

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has warned Liverpool must raise their game if they are to avoid yet another season without Champions League football.

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw in Saturday's home meeting with Swansea at the weekend, meaning the club have now won just two of their six Premier League matches at Anfield this season.

"Sometimes we looked like headless chickens running around after the ball,'' Agger said in quotes reported by the Daily Express. "It is far from good enough. Everyone was angry and disappointed - some more than others - but that is the way it is.''

Despite their indifferent form, Kenny Dalglish's men are just three points off the Champions League berths in sixth place - but with games against Chelsea and leaders Manchester City looming, Agger admits now is the time to raise the standard.

"If we play like this, we won't do it [qualify for the Champions League],'' he said. We have got to move up a level or two. I won't say it is not possible, because it is, but it is up to the players. We are the only ones who can make a difference. We definitely have to do a lot better.''

Source: ESPN