Gerrard again shows his true worth

Aston Villa - 1 Liverpool - 1: An infusion of silverware in the Anfield trophy cupboard and not squabbles in the boardroom holds the key to Steven Gerrard remaining a Liverpool player, according to the club's chief executive Rick Parry.

The imminent transfer window, the team's erratic displays, the loss of £21.9 million last year and the financial burden of building a stadium that will restrict Rafael Benitez's ability to strengthen his squad have all fuelled speculation that Gerrard will decamp for Chelsea or opt for a reunion with Michael Owen at Real Madrid.

And the grapevine is also alive to the possibility that Liverpool's chairman David Moores will resign in the wake of last week's turbulent annual general meeting.

It was Moores who persuaded Gerrard to resist Chelsea's overtures in the summer and sign a new four-year contract, but Parry is convinced the chairman's future is not linked with the captain's.

"We can't guarantee that any player is going to stay in this day and age and we were absolutely delighted that Steven recommitted himself to the club in the summer," he said.

"But we are certainly not complacent about the future. What Steven craves is success on the pitch - it's not about boardroom politics."

Playing as an attacking midfielder behind a solitary striker, Neil Mellor, Gerrard was the best player on view by a distance.

A backheel on halfway that began a move he ended by forcing a corner typified his display.

Add to the mix the shots that tested Thomas Sorensen, bone-jarring but fair tackles, accurate passing and the perfectly flighted free-kick that led to Liverpool's goal and claims that Gerrard is the most complete midfielder in the Premiership if not Europe are not extravagant.

"It was a mismatch in midfield," the Villa manager David O'Leary said.

Indeed, with Liverpool moving the ball quickly and steam-rollering their opponents in the manner of their all-conquering teams of the 1970s and '80s, it was a mismatch everywhere.

That is until Chris Kirkland flapped at Nolberto Solano's free-kick and allowed Villa to equalise with his side's first and last shot on target of the half. And therein lies the conundrum facing Gerrard: he cannot do everything on his own to secure the trophies that will persuade him to remain a Red, not least take the abundance of chances his team squandered. The one Liverpool did take fell to Harry Kewell, his first goal in 10 months. Enough said.

Next up is Olympiakos on Wednesday and victory is essential if Liverpool are to maintain their interest in the Champions League - and hold on to their most prized asset.