Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has expressed his hope that he will be able to strengthen his Anfield squad in next month's transfer window.
However, the 63-year-old suggested he was still not sure what the January window would bring.
"I can only hope we get one or two of the injured players back in certain areas," said Hodgson. "With injuries to Jamie Carragher (shoulder), Daniel Agger (calf), Jay Spearing (ankle) and Gerrard (hamstring) we have been hit hard in certain areas.
"I can only hope if there is any possibility of transfers in the January window that will help us and make us a better team I will be given the opportunity to take those players.
"My ambition to improve the squad is shared by the owners but we will have to wait and see what possibilities are there - if any - and what they would like to do."
The positive signs emerging from Melwood on Friday suggested Gerrard would be fit to return from a month-long absence from a hamstring injury against Fulham - the club Hodgson left in the summer - at home on Saturday.
Liverpool have won the last four Premier League matches at Anfield and the return of their captain would be a huge boost heading into the busy festive period.
"Four home games out of six (in the next month) is important because Anfield has been good to us in recent weeks," added the Reds boss.
"The problem these days is that there is not a great deal of difference in point between the sixth team and ones at the bottom."
Midfielder Lucas Leiva, who is set to return as a number of changes from the side which drew 0-0 with Utrecht in the Europa League, believes they are heading in the right direction after a difficult start.
"We're doing better now than at the start of the season," said the Brazil international. "We had some players come and go, and a new coaching staff arrived and brought new methods with them.
"Sometimes these things take time to gel, but we're on the right path."
