Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has explained starting Steven Gerrard from the bench for victory at Swansea City.

Gerrard had not featured since the 3-2 home victory over Tottenham on February 10 because of hamstring trouble, but he returned to the fray as a 64th-minute substitute at the Liberty Stadium.

"You have to pay respect to the team," Rodgers explained when asked about Gerrard's return as a second-half substitute in south Wales.

"The team has been playing very well and getting results and collectively over the last three months we've been in great form.

"You've also got to pay attention that he (Gerrard) has been out for considerable period of time as well, but you see how important he is when he came on.

"We were able to penetrate when Steven came on and he offered that calmness and control.

"We switched to a diamond with Steven at the bottom and he was very important to that."