Liverpool News: Reds Set to Get Stronger with Steven Gerrard on the Mend

The season is still very, very young, but Liverpool has to be happy with the way things have gone for them in the early goings. After an opening draw against Sunderland, the Reds have won three straight matches.

Going forward, things can only get better. While sending some players out, the Reds also brought in the likes of Sebastian Coates and old friend Craig Bellamy before the summer transfer window closed. In the near future, they'll be getting even more reinforcements.

These will come in the person of Steven Gerrard. Out for the last several months with a groin injury, the news from Mirror Football is that Gerrard has finished his injury rehabilitation and has been cleared to participate in full contact training.

If all goes well, Gerrard could be back out on the pitch by September 18 when the Reds take on Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Whenever he is able to return, Gerrard made no secret of the fact he's pretty thrilled to join a squad that has gotten a few upgrades since he last played.

“I’m really happy with the shape and the numbers we have in the squad and I’m excited about this season," he said. "You want to play with good players and I just can’t wait to get back and lead the lads out.”

If there is a reason to be concerned about Gerrard's impending return, it's how his health is going to hold up. He insists that his groin is "stronger than ever before," but you obviously have to take that with a grain of salt. He had to have major surgery to repair it, and it might not respond all that well to what is going to be a significant increase in activity.

Besides, Gerrard is 31. Not as young as he once was.

All this being said, it's not like Gerrard's return is the end of the world. Even if he is not up to speed physically—which he likely won't be—he still has something to give the club.

Namely, that would be his leadership. Gerrard has been sidelined for a while now, but he's still the club's captain. Even if he is incapable of being his old self, you're not going to notice if he's making everyone around him that much better.

This is particularly true, it seems, of Bellamy. Gerrard said (via The Telegraph) that he is "delighted" to have Bellamy back at Anfield.

"That pace and the fiery character he's got will help us in our push for success this season," said Gerrard.

If Gerrard can successfully find a way to enhance Bellamy's qualities, he's going to prove to be one of the best acquisitions of the transfer window.

If Gerrard can do the same with the rest of the squad, Liverpool could prove to be the best the EPL has to offer.