Steven Gerrard injury blow for Liverpool and England

The Liverpool captain limped off after just 16 minutes of his side's 1-0 extra time defeat to Everton in last night's FA Cup fourth round replay at Goodison Park. Tests this morning confirmed that Gerrard will be absent for Liverpool's trip to Portsmouth on Saturday and Manchester City's visit to Anfield next weekend, as well as England's friendly in Spain on Wednesday. A club spokesman told Liverpool's official website: 'A scan has confirmed a tear in the hamstring of Steven's left leg. He will be out of action for about three weeks.' The Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez revealed last night that Gerrard had asked to be taken off after he felt a pain in the muscle. Benitez was pilloried for removing his captain immediately after Wigan's equaliser at the JJB Stadium last Wednesday, but last night insisted such injuries were the result of the pressure to play Gerrard in every game. He said: 'Everyone was saying he must play every minute and now we see the consequences.' The injury presents Benitez with a problem as to how to cope without his captain, on whom Liverpool's system depends. The Spaniard will also not wish to take a risk with the fitness of strike Fernando Torres, who has been cast straight into first team action despite missing two months of the season with hamstring troubles of his own. With Robbie Keane sold to Tottenham, though, Benitez is left with no choice but to gamble on Torres being able to lead the line at Fratton Park and against City. Yossi Benayoun is likely to replace Gerrard in both games. The news also leaves Capello with a selection headache for England's game against European champions Spain in Seville. He is already facing a battle to have Wayne Rooney available after the Manchester United striker's hamstring problem. Sir Alex Ferguson expects the former Everton player to return on Sunday but is thought to be reluctant to allow him to join up with the England squad so soon after recovering.

Source: Telegraph