Liverpool: Steven Gerrard a massive doubt for FA Cup clash against Aston Villa

Steven Gerrard has still not been assured a place in the starting 11 against Aston Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on 19 April as Brendan Rodgers looks to end the season with a trophy.

It is a massive game for the Reds, who have not been at their fluid best in the Cup, having been taken to replays against Blackburn and Bolton in the campaign.

It is a good chance for the squad to end the year on a high, having crashed out of the group stages of the Champions League to Basel and failed to get into the latter stages of the Europa League.

Gerrard, who is available after serving a three-match suspension for his reckless red card against Manchester United, a minute into his introduction in the second half, will have to keep his nerves if he has to end his career at Anfield with a trophy.

Rodgers, when asked about Gerrard's participation, refused to give a clear answer but insisted that he is happy having him back in the squad.

"I don't really want to talk about that. Steven is available for the squad. This is a game which is for the team and Stevie is available which is great," Rodgers said.

"He's definitely ready. We had a behind-closed-doors game on Monday in which he and a few of the others who have been out played. Steven is fine.

"The most important thing is that Steven is available. He's a very, very special footballer, Steven. Wembley is somewhere he knows very well. Whether he plays, he will be a very important member of the squad for us," he added.

The manager confirmed that Raheem Sterling will start the game in spite of the controversy surrounding him with respect to his consumption of laughing gas. Jordan Ibe was also part of the disciplinary violation and Rodgers revealed that he has had a talk with both players regarding their responsibilities to the squad.

"I spoke to both players, and they're fully aware of what has happened. They're young players who will learn. I think both young players are aware of their responsibilities. All you can do is continually educate them," Rodgers concluded.