Steven Gerrard will be walking a disciplinary tightrope when Liverpool face Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday night.

The Reds skipper picked up his ninth yellow card of the season in Saturday's 6-3 win at Cardiff City.

If he gets a 10th booking before the April 14 cut-off date he will serve a two-match suspension.

Boss Brendan Rodgers is desperately hoping Gerrard, who has been in outstanding form, can steer clear of the referee's notebook in Liverpool's next four matches.

"It's a shame really as the booking Steven picked up at Manchester United was never a booking," Rodgers said.

"It was a great header he won against Fellaini and he should never have been booked for that.

"He's on nine and he would be unfortunate if he gets to 10. We hope he doesn't. He has to try to get through until after the Man City game without another yellow card."He has to be careful in some areas of the field but I think the message is he just has to play his natural game.

"I think if you try to change things too much it will take away from your game."

Source: Liverpool Echo