Gerrard to miss United clash
08 Sep 2008 - 15:34:59
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has ruled himself out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.
Gerrard is currently recovering from groin surgery which forced him to pull out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez hoped to have his talismanic skipper available for the visit of the champions to Anfield, but Gerrard claims he has no chance of making the Saturday lunchtime kick-off.
Spain striker Fernando Torres is also a major doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Aston Villa before the international break.
"The United game is too soon," Gerrard told the Liverpool Daily Post.
"I've a decent chance for the Champions League game in Marseille (September 16), but I've spoken to the manager and told him I'd like to do a certain amount of training before I come back.
"I don't want to go into a big game only having had one session with the boys."
Meanwhile, Gerrard has defended the timing of his surgery after coming under fire for missing England duty in order to correct a long-running problem.
"The decision about surgery was taken after our game against Standard Liege. I had a meeting with the club doctor on the day of the game and said the discomfort was getting to the stage where I couldn't continue," he explained.
"I'd had to double, then treble, my dose of painkillers to train and play, and I was having to take them during games.
"You get to the stage where you can't grind it out any longer.
"I couldn't sprint flat out, couldn't pass more than 30 yards and couldn't shoot properly and, as much as you want to be out there for every game, it is important to be right.
"There are times when you have got to forget about England and Liverpool and get yourself right."