Rafa Benitez has admitted Steven Gerrard could well miss
Liverpool’s first big title showdown of the season against
Manchester United.
Benitez confirmed after Wednesday’s Champions League triumph
over Standard Liege that Gerrard will undergo surgery on a minor
groin injury.
The operation will guarantee the talismanic midfielder’s absence
from England’s two World Cup 2010 qualifiers in September, as well
as Liverpool’s league trip to Aston Villa.
Early indications were that the operation had been timed in such
a way that would allow Gerrard to return for the United clash at
Anfield on September 13.
However, Benitez admits his skipper may miss out, preferring
only to guarantee that Gerrard will be fit for the start of The
Reds’ Champions League campaign.
"We decided that Steven would play through the pain against
Liege and then have the operation,” Benitez told The Liverpool
Echo.
"He may not be fit for the Manchester United game, but he
certainly will be okay for the first group stage match next
month."