Gerrard causing concern - Benitez

Fri, 30 Oct 22:05:13 2009

Manager Rafael Benitez admits Steven Gerrard's fitness is causing increasing concern with the midfielder facing a defining week in his recovery from a groin problem.

The midfielder is already out of Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham and has little chance of being involved in the vital Champions League game at Lyon next Wednesday.

Benitez said: "Gerrard is improving but the next week will be crucial in terms of any decision about what we will do with him."

Benitez is still privately furious that Gerrard sustained and aggravated a groin injury on England duty.

And the prospect of an operation for Gerrard is not being ruled out, and that would mean an even longer absence.

"I have talked to him, he is working with the medical team and his progress is slow, but we will then have to decide what to do if he is not progressing as quickly as we would hope," Benitez said.

"He has had this problem for some time but when he has a lot of games for his club, as well as the national team, it is not easy to give him a rest.

"We will try to manage this differently in the future but we always have the same problem, that he wants to play in every match.

"And that applies to England as well. It is very positive, it is a fine mentality, but maybe we should be looking at the right way to handle a problem that continues to cause him trouble.

"I do not believe he will have this problem for the rest of his career but we certainly need to find a solution now. We have a good medical staff, I have confidence we can manage this problem."

 

Comment 1 - 13 of 13

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  1. if he's not 100%, don't let him play.­ that's it. easy. he's health is more important.

    From rockergirl, on Sun 1 Nov 4:31

  2. matthew.stanly16 is an idiot

    From Neal D, on Sun 1 Nov 3:32

  3. And im talkin about FIELDS OF ATHENRY and you's­ @#$% copied it and turned it int fields of analfield­ road or somethin g.a.y like that. it would make ya sick

    From Neal D, on Sun 1 Nov 3:22

  4. matthew ya'd wanna take a long look at your own­ team before you call any other team rubbish hahahaha­ atleast we have one our league in recent times, whats­ it now for yous 20 years or somethin ha ha useless

    From Neal D, on Sun 1 Nov 3:09

  5. Neal D, What are you moaning about Liverpool for, we­ beat Manchester United convincingly and Celtic­ couldn't even win against Hearts and also you only­ win 2-0 against Hamilton Academical.
    Oh And By the way­ we Didn't take your song, It's our song

    Gerry­ and the Pacemakers are from Liverpool, idiot

    STAY ON­ YOUR OWN SITE WITH YOUR RUBBISH TEAM CELTIC HAHAHAHAHA

    From Matty, on Sun 1 Nov 2:46

  6. And stop copying our songs you scouse rats

    From Neal D, on Sun 1 Nov 2:33

  7. scum of england you scouse twats, KOP = king over pope­­ SPIT! your lucky united didn destroy yous last week­­ (celtic fan)

    From Neal D, on Sun 1 Nov 2:27

  8. 4...nice to see you are all wound up. Obviously it­ REALLY HURT when we spanked you at Anfield last week.­ In the words of that McDonald's ad: IM LOVIN'­ IT!!!

    From Koppite 1973, on Sun 1 Nov 2:02

  9. 'Chrls79M'UTD4life' - were you beaten­ as a child or something

    From busybee, on Sun 1 Nov 0:42

  10. re 4 there is one thing for certain not only is fergie­ the most unsporting and moaning manager man u fans­ like you are also unsporting and brainless as well­ .John

    From JOHN, on Sun 1 Nov 0:39

  11. Chrls79M'UTD4life, At least he faced up to his­ accusation, not like ferdinand, who ran away when the­ drug squad turned up, never trust a sniffer !

    From rock lobster, on Sat 31 Oct 23:24

  12. Chris this is ur moma be a dear and finish me off then­ do your dad/brother love u xx

    From lfc7772, on Sat 31 Oct 20:46

  13. Jon T"IT"...Is defo..KKKKunt then

    From lfc7772, on Sat 31 Oct 13:16
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