Liverpool Football Club is to look at providing special security cover for players' homes after Steven Gerrard became the seventh team member to have his house targeted by a gang of burglars while away at a game.

In a raid apparently deliberately timed to take place while Gerrard was playing for his club in France, his wife Alex Curran was left terrified after being confronted by four balaclava-wearing burglars at the couple's mansion, in Formby, Merseyside, at 9.30pm.

Police said Ms Curran was left unhurt but shaken after the incident, which took place as she was in the house with another woman.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said the burglars stole items of jewellery before leaving the house. Last month, a celebrity magazine reported that Ms Curran had bought her husband a £10,000 Cartier watch for Christmas, although police would not confirm whether this was among the items stolen.

"Four men, wearing dark clothing, hoods and balaclavas, entered the property and stole items of jewellery," a force spokesman said.

"The female resident, and another woman who was in the house at the time, were left shaken but uninjured."

It has not yet been disclosed whether the couple’s two children, Lilly-Ella, three, and one-year-old Lexie, were also in the property at the time.

Outside the house, located off an track in the village of Freshfield, a police officer today stood guard while other officers were seen carrying out forensic examinations on footprints in the grounds.

Liverpool FC tonight spoke of their concern that last night’s robbery conformed to a growing pattern whereby footballers for the club were picked off when burglars know players are away.

Gerrard was last night playing in the club's European Champions' League match at Marseille, in which he scored.

Earlier this year, the home of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina was burgled as he was away helping the club reach last season's Champions League final.

Current and former team mates Jerzy Dudek, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, as well as Everton's Andy van der Meyde, were all burgled last year while they took part in games.

Last month, Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt suffered a break-in at his luxury home in Woolton while he was on international duty with the Dutch national team.

A spokesman for Liverpool FC said the club was shocked to hear the news of Ms Curran’s ordeal, and that the club may provide special security for its players during club and international games. Such matches are well publicised, giving burglars information as to when the homes will be empty.

“Our first concerns are for the welfare of Alex, Steven and the family," he said.

“The club takes this extremely seriously and we will be looking at ways to provide cover for the players’ houses while they are away with the club on domestic and international duty."

A police spokeswoman said that the force advised all players to be vigilant with their security. She said the force was studying figures to ascertain whether there was a campaign to target the footballers.

"We would tell any player, just as with any member of the public, to make sure that your house is alarmed and that all windows are secure whenever you're out."

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