No top-flight player in Europe has had to shoulder such a workload this term, but Gerrard is already planning for a final big push in Liverpool’s quest to be runners-up behind Chelsea.

That target will be a tall order, with current second-placed club Manchester United still having seven home league games to play while Liverpool in third have just four games left at Anfield.

That fixture imbalance in the run-in will certainly tilt the betting towards United, but skipper Gerrard turns his attention to Sunday’s trip to north London as the start of the fallen European champions’ bid to revive their season.

Gerrard makes it clear that getting to the FA Cup final and finishing second are priorities now.

He said: “We need to pick ourselves up. The FA Cup becomes even more important now, we need a trophy.

“And of course we want to finish the league season strongly because we want to be back in Europe again next year. That’s the aim.

“We have to aim for second spot and catch Manchester United and keep ourselves ahead of all the sides below us trying to catch us.”

And although bitterly disappointed, the reduction in fixtures now Europe is history could well benefit Gerrard in terms of not only England and the World Cup, but also Liverpool’s final games of the season.

His demeanour after the Benfica defeat was interesting. He was calm, controlled and even managed a smile.

Perhaps this was a man who had carried Liverpool for too long who was at last released from the demanding task of seemingly trying to retain the European Cup almost on his own.

That responsibility has been lifted from his shoulders after eight months of toil with Liverpool’s defence of their crown starting way back on July 13 last year, and he may well be able to face the run-in with new enthusiasm. Liverpool certainly need that now.