The Light Blues had one of only a handful of blips this season last time out at Tynecastle, drawing 1-1, but have since beaten the Jambos 3-0 in the League Cup and 5-0 in the Premiership.
Gerrard recognises the alterations the German boss has made and insists his players must play to their maximum on Sunday.
He told this morning’s press conference: “We expect a slightly different challenge in a few ways because I think a manager has come in and changed the style, changed the philosophy and changed quite a few players.
“It is a team we have got respect for, it is a venue we have got respect for and we will have to be at our best because we weren’t last time and we suffered a bit of a set-back.
“I think each game is different even against the same opposition. They will probably play a different formation, some personnel will be different, but I am expecting my players to be better.
Gerrard was quizzed on the progress of skipper James Tavernier after his appendix issue, and the manager responded: “I’ve not got an exact date but he is progressing well and now he is starting to work out on the bike and in the gym and I am sure he is about to break into a jog at some point so that is positive news.
“He got a good report from the surgeon and had the stitches taken out so we are a lot closer than we were. Greg [Stewart] again will miss the weekend but he has got an outside chance for Ross County.
“Fil [Helander] is off crutches and he is walking about so his rehab has begun but that is going to be a slow burner.”
The manager also spoke today about potential transfer business in both directions.
He said: “Robby [McCrorie] was confirmed at Livingston and he has gone and had a real positive debut.
“We have had phone calls and this that from all kinds of different agents but there’s nothing for me to report in terms of being close, either in or out.”