LAST season was the toughest of Steven Gerrard’s career.

Injury restricting the inspirational Reds skipper to just 24 appearances.

He played just six games under Kenny Dalglish and is eager to get back and impress the Kop legend.

“I wasn’t fit when I played for Kenny last season,” he said. “Yeah, we won at Chelsea but I was struggling with the injury. I was grinding through, just trying to get from day to day, week to week, with my groin.

“I want to come back and be 100% for Kenny. I want to put in that first top performance, get a good goal and a good win for the manager.

“I’m basically in a pre-season situation now. I’ll be back in full training with the lads next week and everything is positive.

“The manager has to make a decision when I’m physically ready and when my form is good enough to come back in. I’m the type of player who gets fit quite quickly. It’s just a matter of getting training sessions and game time in the bank.”