Source: Daily_Mail
Benitez fears Gerrard may never fully recover from groin problem
Rafael Benitez fears the groin injury that has derailed Steven Gerrard's season could plague Liverpool's talismanic midfielder for the rest of his career.[LNB]Gerrard faces surgery to cure the problem, as revealed in Sportsmail on Friday, with Benitez setting a deadline of next week on a decision. [LNB]Gerrard misses today's trip to Fulham and is highly doubtful for Wednesday's crucial Champions League tie in Lyon, having played just 25 minutes of club football since limping out of England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine three weeks ago.[LNB] Limped out: Gerrard has played just 25 minutes football in three weeks[LNB]And Benitez believes Gerrard's explosive style will always make him vulnerable to a recurrence of the problem.[LNB]'I think the kind of player he is, he's very powerful and strong,' said the Liverpool boss. 'He has energy and power.[LNB]Watching on: Gerrard sat out Liverpool's win over Manchester United[LNB]'Some players, if they are light players, they will have more stamina and other problems. For Stevie, being very powerful, it's more difficult for him to be always right.'[LNB]Benitez has not ruled out giving Gerrard a painkilling injection to get him on the field in France next week. But it is clear that both the player and his club are viewing his latest injury with concern.[LNB]Benitez added: 'He's worried and he's a little bit low because he thought he could be better.[LNB]'It's a difficult situation. I don't know exactly what it is, but he's not progressing as we were expecting.[LNB]'He's got a pain in his groin and he has no power. He cannot kick long balls properly. It's not too much, but it's enough that he cannot play comfortably.'[LNB]Glen Johnson is also out with a minor calf tear and Alberto Aquilani will almost certainly have to wait a little longer for his first taste of Barclays Premier League action after contracting a virus, although Benitez was at pains to point out it is not swine flu.[LNB]The manager also eased fears over Javier Mascherano's future after reports in Spain claimed the midfielder will demand a move to Barcelona. [LNB]Benitez said: 'At the beginning of the season we had some problems but now you can see his commitment to Liverpool is fantastic.'[LNB] United linked with Adler move after German keeper is spotted at AnfieldLife after Anfield for United as Fergie looks forward to Rovers recoveryManchester United great Ryan Giggs admits winning league title will be harder than everLiverpool fear captain Steven Gerrard will need surgery to cure groin problemALL THE LIVERPOOL FC
