Wednesday's game against Cardiff was Gerrard's sixth in 18 days
Football players' chief Gordon Taylor has warned that Steven Gerrard and other England stars are facing burn-out because of the demands placed on them.
Gerrard has started six games in the last 18 days, including England's trip to Moscow and Liverpool's to Istanbul.
"If that was a racehorse you would say that was too much and have the RSPCA onto you," Taylor told BBC Sport.
"It is a good life and nobody's denying that, but we do have a duty to look after our sporting heroes."
Taylor believes the demands put on top players are damaging England's international chances.
"The biggest problem is probably with the elite, who need the most looking after," he said.
"Think of the number of international players who have had foot injuries, such as Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, or of John Terry playing with broken bones and having cortisone injections.
"It's up to the authorities and administrators to make it as safe as they can. Some players can clock up 50, 60 games a season and it's obviously going to take a toll.
"What's disappointed me for a long time is that while our club football is ruling the roost, international football is taking a backward step.
"A successful international team can have a really uplifting effect on the whole nation, as we've seen with rugby union.
"At the moment, we're turning up on crutches for major football tournaments."
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