Gerrard Still Short Of Fitness

21 April 2009 12:09
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits captain Steven Gerrard is in a race against time to be fit for Saturday's Premier League match with Hull City.[LNB]The England star has been ruled out of Tuesday's home clash with Arsenal with a groin injury and he could now also miss the trip to the KC Stadium.[LNB]Gerrard was an unused substitute for the 4-0 victory over Blackburn on 11th April and was then ruled out of the Champions League quarter-final second-leg draw at Chelsea after aggravating an adductor muscle problem in training.[LNB]And Benitez has admitted that it will be "difficult" for his inspirational skipper to be at 100 per cent for the coming weekend.[LNB]However, the Liverpool boss is confident that his title-chasing squad can cope without Gerrard, who may not return until the Anfield visit of Newcastle on May 3.[LNB]"It's always disappointing when Stevie isn't in the team but we have won games without him and played well without him at times this season," said Benitez. [LNB]"We have quality in the squad and I am sure we can still play nice football, score goals and win games, whoever is in the team."[LNB]

Source: Eurosport