Source: Telegraph
Liverpool's surgery fears for injured captain Steven Gerrard
Gerrard initially strained his adductor muscle in England's 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on Oct 10, remaining with Fabio Capello's squad for treatment before exacerbating the problem in training two days later. Despite intensive treatment, he has since managed just 25 minutes for Rafael Benitez's side. [LNB]The Liverpool manager remains hopeful that Gerrard will return to fitness without the aid of an operation, but he admitted that surgery which would rule the player out for several weeks might be necessary should Gerrard fail to improve in the coming days. [LNB] Related ArticlesSteven Gerrard to miss Liverpool matchLiverpool fear Gerrard operationMy destiny to manage a big club, says LaszloSport on televisionFulham v Liverpool: match previewDirk Kuyt excited by Alberto Aquilani"Next week, we will have to decide," said Benítez. "We are working with him but if he cannot get better we will analyse the situation again. I'm not sure if he will need surgery, but at this moment he just has to keep working with the physios. [LNB]"He is not in a lot of pain, but it's enough that he cannot play comfortably. He cannot kick long balls properly. He is worried and a little bit low because he thought he could be better, but he still has the same problem. [LNB]"He is not progressing as we were expecting." [LNB]Benítez has not yet categorically ruled Gerrard out of the game with Lyon, saying only that "in one or two days, he could improve" though his warning that the club could "not take a risk" suggests the Liverpool captain is unlikely to feature in a game his side have to win to avoid the ignominy of elimination at the group stage. [LNB]Benítez could yet be without Glen Johnson for the trip to France the full-back misses the game with Fulham after sustaining a small tear in his calf in training which is expected to rule him out for "four or five days" though Alberto Aquilani, struck down with a virus just hours after his debut against Arsenal in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, could still feature in both fixtures. [LNB]Benitez's one silver lining amid his burgeoning injury crisis is that Fernando Torres, after scoring against Manchester United while at 80 per cent of full fitness, has finally shaken off his own adductor problem. [LNB]The striker completed a full week of training and will lead the line against Fulham in the absence of his strike partner, a situation his manager fears he may have to grow accustomed to as Gerrard's explosive style of play takes its toll on his body. [LNB]"I think the kind of player he is, very powerful, strong," said Benítez, "with lots of energy, it is more difficult for [his body] to always be right. Some players, light players, have more stamina and have different sorts of problems. For Stevie, being very powerful, it is more difficult."[LNB]Fulham are believed to be preparing a new contract for manager Roy Hodgson in a bid to ward off interest in the 62 year-old from the Sweden and Norway national teams. [LNB]Hodgson's current deal expires at the end of the season. Steven Gerrard's total time on the pitch for Liverpool since sustaining a groin injury with England on Oct 10. [LNB]
