Source: Eurosport
Rafa Ready To Nurse Gerrard
Rafael Benitez has revealed the full extent of the injury problem that threatens to wreck Steven Gerrard's season.[LNB]The Liverpool skipper is very unlikely to be risked from the start of Saturday's home Barclays Premier League clash with relegation-threatened Blackburn but may lead out the side in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea.[LNB]Benitez confirmed the club were aware of Gerrard's worsening groin problem even before last weekend's win at Fulham.[LNB]And it is clear now the 28-year-old will have to be nursed through the final weeks of the season as Liverpool continue their battle for the title and survival in Europe.[LNB]It is also clear Gerrard probably returned from England duty - having figured in both the Slovakia friendly and the World Cup qualifying win over Ukraine - with the problem.[LNB]Benitez accepts Gerrard cannot play two full games over four days and he will have to choose which one the club captain is risked in.[LNB]Benitez said: "We were aware of the injury before the first leg against Chelsea.[LNB]"It is not easy for him to play two games in four days with the injury he has. The decision I have to make is whether I use him against Blackburn or Chelsea.[LNB]"If we do play him against Blackburn it does not mean we are writing off the Champions League. But we must approach each game on its merits.[LNB]"If he feels he can play, then he will and we will assess the situation afterwards.[LNB]"Anything more could be a risk. Maybe we could keep him on the bench and use him if we need to?[LNB]"After Chelsea we have a complete week before our next game because the Arsenal home game is the following Tuesday.[LNB]"If he gets injured again he could need more than a week to recover; it is tough call but we will consider all the risks."[LNB]Gerrard is now expected to be used against Blackburn only in an emergency. Then he could be plunged into a desperate attempt to salvage the club's Champions League hopes after Wednesday's 3-1 defeat by Chelsea.[LNB]Benitez said: "We have been talking about the fitness of players like Steven for a long time, do we have rotation or do we keep our key players on the pitch?[LNB]"We have had that problem with Fernando Torres and now Gerrard. We have two games in four days, both very important to our ambitions.[LNB]"After that, even if we qualify and have a Champions League semi-final, that is only two more games. We will be playing virtually one game a week and that makes it easier to manage the situation regarding Steven's fitness.[LNB]"I have spoken with Steven and we will do the same on Saturday along with the doctor.[LNB]"If he breaks down now we could lose him for two or three weeks and that would be a serious blow. It depends on him and how he feels.[LNB]"There is no priority but we play Blackburn first and that obviously is what we are concentrating on. After that it will be Chelsea.[LNB]"We will try our best at Chelsea, it is not over yet, but we want to be top of the table after our game with Blackburn because that will put pressure on Manchester United."[LNB]Benitez's concerns over Gerrard's long-term involvement in Liverpool's title chase overshadowed any annoyance he may have felt with Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce's claims "he loves a moan and a whinge".[LNB]The two have been long-term adversaries from Allardyce's Bolton days, with Benitez unable to disguise his distaste at the long-ball style the Ewood Park chief utilises.[LNB]Benitez would only say: "I would expect to play the game on Saturday and afterwards just talk about football. I will shake his hand, no problem there.[LNB]"Blackburn are in a difficult position but they have won some games recently and they have improved. They, too, will have to win against us, it is as massive for them as us.[LNB]"But we know they are a physical team. We will try to play football but, if we have to fight for the ball, then we will do that.[LNB]"I have seen Sam Allardyce's teams at Bolton and now at Blackburn. I do not expect the style to change very much but I believe it is more difficult to manage at the bottom of the table because every defeat is very negative.[LNB]"The pressures there are so much different, losing games there is not the same as losing games in the top half of the table.[LNB]"But we will have our confidence back, the team are ready and looking forward to this game."[LNB]
