- My Account
- Logout
- Register
- Login
Gerrard out but Torres travels
Related Articles
02 January 2009
Although Gerrard has now played just 25 minutes of five matches since he sustained a groin injury while on England duty, boss Rafael Benitez has delayed any decision on whether his captain needs an operation.
Club sources suggest that Benitez is happy that Gerrard's treatment is progressing well and that the player's injury problem is improving. If Gerrard does have an operation on his groin, it will rule him out for a month and he would be unlikely to play again until mid-December.
Liverpool are trying to avoid that eventuality, and Benitez will assess the midfielder's fitness levels again when the Anfield men return from Wednesday's match.
Torres will travel with the party, having been taken off at Fulham on Saturday after a hour to protect his adductor muscle injury.
But £20million Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani will be available for selection after recovering from a virus.
Benitez said: "Aquilani trained today (Monday) but was a little bit weak. Hopefully in two days' time he will be better.
"Gerrard won't travel to Lyon. He has no chance. He is improving but we have to wait. He has had an injection but we have to wait two or three days and see how he reacts.
Albert Riera (hamstring), Martin Kelly (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (muscle and virus), are also definitely out of the Group E match that Liverpool must win if they want to retain any serious hopes of qualifying for the last 16.
Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager will make late fitness calls on the recovering Daniel Agger (back), Glen Johnson (calf), Fabio Aurelio (calf) and David Ngog (ankle), none of whom travelled to Craven Cottage.
Top stories in Sport in brief
Sport in brief in Pictures
Top stories in Sport in brief
Sport in brief in Pictures
-
Locked up and banned: The Tube drunk whose vile racist rant was caught on film (video)
-
British housewife facing FIRING SQUAD over Bali drugs smuggling charge was 'neighbour from hell' -
London 2012 Olympics: Raising the bar and the Games haven't even started yet. Price of toasting Team GB is £6 a pint! -
Video: Intruder bursts into Leveson Inquiry to brand Tony Blair a war criminal -
British woman Lindsay Sandiford facing death penalty over Bali drugs haul is mother of violent robber who carried out raids in London
-
First victory for campaign to save famous pie and mash shop -
'Normal' clothes inspire new designer at Central Saint Martins fashion show -
Usain Bolt is quick to tell fans he’ll be lightning fast again -
Invasion of the book snatchers: Brent Council sneaks into Kensal Rise library at 2am to strip it bare -
Video: Is this the World's most OTT marriage proposal? Hilarious film
The O2
Check out the cool stuff happening under our tent such as the hottest gigs, comedy, sport, films, clubs, bars, restaurants and much more.
A home to be proud of with Halifax
Download the Halifax's brilliant, free new Home Finder app, and take all the pain out of finding your dream home.
Can you imagine a career in teaching?
Be inspired to teach - let real teachers show you how rewarding the job can be.
Playing a game-changing role during the Games
Cisco is providing the solutions for London 2012's complex IT needs.
Win a Silverstone track day with Zantac 75
Feel the burn of a different kind - 20 Silverstone motoring experiences to be won
Celebrate with MARTINI®
This weekend toast one royal with another and make your Jubilee sparkle with a MARTINI Royale.
Reader Offers email A fantastic selection of
offers, giveaways and
promotions.
Hulk to Chelsea is '90 per cent done'
TV Baftas - in pictures