Source: Liverpool_Echo
Steven Gerrard facing ‘crucial’ few days in Champions League fitness race - Liverpool FC latest
RAFA BENITEZ has admitted the next few days will be 'crucial' if Steven Gerrard is to avoid an operation to cure his troublesome groin problem.[LNB]The Reds' skipper, along with Glen Johnson, has been ruled out of today's trip to Fulham after failing to respond sufficiently to treatment at Melwood.[LNB]There is also a huge question over whether Gerrard will be fit to take his place in the squad that will travel to Lyon next Wednesday for a must win Champions League clash.[LNB]Gerrard sustained the injury during England's 1-0 defeat in Ukraine on October 10 and has managed just 25 minutes of football since then.[LNB]Benitez can ill-afford to lose his talisman for a lengthy period and hopes that scenario will be avoided if Gerrard can responded positively to further treatment at Melwood.[LNB]'I think he is improving but we will have to see in the next week - that will be crucial in terms of a decision,' said Benitez.[LNB]'He is working with the physios and I've been talking with him; he is progressing but it is slow, so we will see what we'll do if it does not progress as quickly as we think.[LNB]'I do not think it is because of his age.[LNB]'He has had these problems and sometimes you have to give the player time.[LNB]'But when a player plays lots of games with his club and the national team, it is not easy to give him a rest; maybe we will have to manage in a different way in the future.
