Rafa Benitez has all-but-confirmed Steven Gerrard’s
absence from Liverpool’s next league match, admitting the
midfielder could even miss the Champions League visit of
Marseille.
Gerrard suffered a small tear to the adductor magnus muscle
during Liverpool’s dominant 2-0 win at Bolton, ruling him out of
England’s friendly encounter with Germany.
Reds fans will be more concerned by Saturday’s home clash with
Fulham though, a game Gerrard originally looked 50-50 for after a
club statement said he would be out for 7-10 days.
It appears Benitez has already given up on the possibility of
having his skipper available for Fulham, admitting Gerrard is
struggling to make next Wednesday's Champions League encounter
with Marseille – a game that could secure Liverpool’s
qualification.
"Steven had a scan and he will be out for seven to ten days,
depending on how he progresses,” reiterated Benitez on the club’s
official website.
"He could be back for the Marseille game but each player is
different. We have to start working with him and see how he
does."
Meanwhile, Benitez revealed he expects Robbie Keane to be ‘okay’
following a shoulder problem, and the Spaniard also revealed he has
got guarantees his countrymen will go easy on Fernando Torres in
Spain’s friendly against Chile.
"We have spoken to the Spanish medical staff and they know our
idea and we know that they will take care of him. They know it
could be a small risk so they will try to protect him."