Liverpool's Steven Gerrard to miss Hull clash with groin injury

Gerrard is still struggling with a groin injury that has ruled him out since the first leg of the club's Champions League defeat to Chelsea earlier this month.The midfielder was an unused substitute in Liverpool's 4-0 win over Blackburn and failed to figure in either of the 4-4 draws with Chelsea or Arsenal. Related ArticlesBenitez: Liverpool better than UnitedVoronin resigned to Anfield returnBabel running out of timeAncelotti: Gerrard out of Milan's reachKuyt: Liverpool need miracleHicks and Gillett sitting tight as future unfoldsWith Gerrard such a key player, Rafa Benitez is keen for the 28-year-old to return as soon as possible, but admits the trip to Hull has come too early.However, the Spaniard is confident Gerrard will be back for the home clash with Newcastle on May 3.Benitez said: "He is not fit and won't be available. I think he will be available next week because he's improving, but this game is too soon."The rest of the team is available - we have a full squad."Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is happy for Benitez to keep aiming his verbal volleys at the reigning champions, because he trusts his players to avoid them. Benitez has launched a series of scathing attacks on Ferguson since the turn of the year, the latest being a claim in Spain that the United manager is fearful of Liverpool because he knows they are a better side than his own. It seemed like a strange comment in a week when United opened a three point lead at the Premier League summit, although it did maintain a feud Ferguson continued last week when he claimed Benitez had behaved with contempt towards Sam Allardyce for his reaction at a goal against Blackburn at Anfield recently. However, Ferguson has no wish to silence Benitez. "He is definitely saying a lot," said Ferguson. "But I am happy for him to carry on with it. I have to trust my players. I know they are good enough. "I have trusted them for years now. That is why I have picked them. "They are a good bunch of lads and we will just carry on the way we always have." 

Source: Telegraph