Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Gerrard to miss Cottagers test

30 Oct 2009 - 14:15:39

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Liverpool will once again be without Steven Gerrard for this weekend's Premier League clash at Fulham.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez will also have to cope without the services of Glen Johnson but is hopeful Fernando Torres can start in attack.

Summer signing Alberto Aquilani, who made his debut as a substitute in the Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal on Wednesday following his summer switch from AS Roma, is a doubt after picking up a virus.

Benitez told the club's official website: "Gerrard still has a problem with his groin so he won't be available this weekend."

"At this moment he's working with the physios. He has to keep working and we'll decide next week how he progresses."

Gerrard has been sidelined since picking up the problem while on England duty earlier this month.

"Johnson has a small tear in his calf, so we will lose him for maybe one week," Benitez added.

On Aquilani, Benitez said: "In terms of fitness he's doing well. His ankle is coming on well. The problem we have now is that he has a virus, so it will be difficult for him to be available.

"We will see this afternoon how he feels but he was a little bit sick yesterday.

"He wanted to play against Arsenal and was really pleased to go. He wants to go and play against Fulham but we'll have to decide how he feels.

"Fernando Torres is improving though. He's been training and working with the physios.

"We will see if he is a little bit better this weekend. It's a difficult situation because if you play games, you often don't have too much time to get fit again."