Steven Gerrard is expected to be fit for Liverpool's friendly against Villarreal next week - by when they should have another striker on board.Gerrard is back at the club's Melwood training camp receiving treatment on a groin injury as boss Rafael Benitez's prepares his squad for Tuesday's away friendly with Hertha Berlin.

The England midfielder missed Saturday's 1-1 draw with Wisla Krakow in Switzerland, having been sent home for treatment on an injury sustained in training.

Benitez accepted that Gerrard would not be fit for the trip to Berlin, but has every hope that he will be on the plane to Spain next week for the August 30 clash with goalkeeper Jose Reina's former club.

On Gerrard's fitness, Benitez made it clear immediately after the Krakow game that the player's absence is only short-term.

Benitez said: "Steven's groin problem is not serious but he cannot train and he wouldn't be available for the game in Berlin, so we decided to send him back to Melwood.

"He should be okay in about a week. It's not serious but there's no sense to keep him with us while he is unable to train or play."

Liverpool, who hope to complete the transfer of Robbie Keane from Tottenham shortly - but not before the weekend as had been previously predicted - also want to have 19-year-old French striker David Ngog signed this week.

A £1.5million bid has been accepted by Paris St Germain, and the youngster could become Liverpool's fourth signing of the summer, after deals for Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena and Diego Cavalieri.

Degen is also out of the Berlin game with a groin problem.

Ngog is a cousin of former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong. Born in the Parisian suburb of Gennevilliers, Ngog has come through the ranks at PSG and made his debut last season.

Should the proposed deal go through as expected, Ngog will join up with his new team-mates after they have returned to Melwood on Wednesday.

Liverpool also snapped up teenagers Vincent Lucas Weijl and Nikola Saric recently, but while they are for Gary Ablett's reserve squad, Ngog has been earmarked for the first team.

With Keane an expected arrival following Peter Crouch's departure, Ngog's arrival could hasten the departure of Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin.

Voronin has scored twice in three unbeaten pre-season friendlies but is interesting Hamburg and could go for £3million, to add further to Benitez's transfer kitty and the prospect of still adding Gareth Barry to the squad before the season starts.

Liverpool do not have a match this weekend, but skipper Gerrard will be occupied with a trip to Liverpool's Anglican Cathedral on Friday.

That is the venue for the England star to have an honorary fellowship conferred on him by Liverpool John Moores University, in recognition of his services to sport.

Professor Michael Brown, who is vice-chancellor at LJMU, said: "Steven epitomises the university philosophy of 'Dream, Plan, Achieve'.

"As a young boy he excelled in the sport he loves and ensured his talent was recognised, looking upon challenges as opportunities and pursuing each available avenue.

"As a result he has become one of the best sportsmen in the country, if not the world, with a reputation for integrity both on and off the pitch.

"As a prominent sporting figure and a son of the city, it is fitting that LJMU, an international leader in sports and exercise science and a major contributor to Liverpool's success and growth, should award Steven with this honorary fellowship."

Gerrard, who was awarded an MBE earlier in the year, added: "I am very proud to become a fellow of Liverpool John Moores University.

"Not

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