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Gerrard absence 'precautionary' - Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish welcomed Roy Hodgson back to Anfield as Liverpool took on West Brom © PA Photos

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Kenny Dalglish allayed any fears over the fitness of Steven Gerrard, claiming the Liverpool skipper's absence against West Brom was nothing serious.

Gerrard was missing from the matchday squad as Liverpool lost 1-0 at home to West Brom. There had been no news of the skipper's exclusion in the build-up to the game, but he was only in attendance for a spectator's role at Anfield.

With the FA Cup final looming on May 5 Gerrard's absence sparked fears that he might be struggling to make the Wembley date, but Dalglish did not seem concerned in the post-match interview.

"It was just precautionary," Dalglish said on Sky Sports News. "Precautionary, he'll be OK."

Offering his thoughts on yet another match that Liverpool dominated, hitting the woodwork twice, but ultimately lost, Dalglish said: "It's not just been one of those days; it's been like that seven or eight times here. After we won the Carling Cup, we came back and played Arsenal and we were brilliant. We got to the final last week after beating Everton and they came out today and were excellent again.

"The woodwork, again, wasn't our best friend. There's not much else that we can add to what we've said before so many times after a game at Anfield.

"They just need a bit of luck I think. It sounds repetitive but it's not an excuse. We're not running away from something. It's not as if there's something drastically wrong. It is just a piece of good fortune that we need."

West Brom manager Hodgson thanked the Liverpool fans for the reception he was afforded during his team's smash-and-grab 1-0 win on his return to Anfield, which came courtesy of a Peter Odemwingie winner.

Hodgson told Sky Sports News: ''It really was a magnificent rearguard action and the other great satisfaction for me today, of course, was the support I got from both sets of fans.

''I was a bit concerned coming back here. Everyone said 'you'll get a decent reception' and I was really pleased they treated me so well.

''Obviously I didn't repay them too well by coming away with a victory but it was nice that both sets of fans today gave me the reception that I was really rather hoping for.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.