Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will be out of action for three weeks after a scan revealed a torn hamstring.

Gerrard was replaced after 16 minutes of Wednesday’s FA Cup replay against Everton, which Liverpool lost 1-0. The midfielder will now miss Saturday’s match against Portsmouth, England’s friendly against Spain next week and the visit of Manchester City. Gerrard, 28, also faces a race against time to be fit for the Champions League tie against Real Madrid on 25 February. The absence of Gerrard is a blow to Liverpool’s title credentials having scored 11 goals for them in the league this season.

Liverpool are two points behind champions Manchester United, who have played a game less.

“A scan today has confirmed a tear in the hamstring of Steven’s left leg,” a spokesman told the club’s official website.

“He will be out of action for about three weeks.”

Yesterday I talked about how devastating it could be if we lost Torres to injury again this season but I never thought of the possibility of loosing Stevie Gerrard and that is exactly what happened last night in the F.A. Cup match against Everton. Gerrard came off very early in the game with a suspected hamstring injury and he will undergo a scan today to find out the extent of the injury. I cross my fingers and hope it is nothing serious and at worst he will only miss this weekends game against Portsmouth.

When Gerrard came off yesterday and Yossi came on, you could see that we were no longer the same team as when Stevie was there. We missed his drive from midfield. Yes, Yossi came on and did a decent job but there is just no replacement for Gerrard. For a moment yesterday, I had wished Robbie Keane was on the bench and he could have come on for Gerrard, but those days are over and we have to look forward.

I also hope that Torres did not suffer any further setbacks last night as he looked out of place and shape during the game. I just hope it was a matter of him being tired. I was surprised he played for so longer yesterday but I guess that is the only way he can get back to full fitness.

Let’s hope the scan today shows that Gerrard suffered no major problem and I hope this time England believe that Gerrard is actually injured and they do not force him to report to London next week to have his injury assessed by the F.A. before they play Spain in a friendly.

Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard tore a leg muscle in yesterdays win against Bolton and he will miss England’s friendly against Germany on Wednesday night. Gerrard has had scans and it is said that he will be out for between 7 and 10 days and he could miss the home game against Fulham on Saturday. Injuries are never great to pick up but this one maybe a blessing in disguise as Gerrard will not be risked by playing in midweek for England. These friendly internationals usually result in players picking up injuries which we could do without.

Rafa came out today and said that Gerrard and Keane will not be playing in the Carling Cup tomorrow against Spurs. It is really no surprise as I see a lot more first team regulars being rested tomorrow for this tie. Stevie needs a rest as he has been playing a lot of football lately and so to Keane who is also carrying a slight groin strain. I also see the likes of Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Arbeloa and Carragher being rested.
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Congratulations to Stevie and Fernando for being named in the FifPro World XI team of the year. It is a pitty that neither of them could scoop the main award of Fifpro World Footballer of the Year which went to Cristiano Ronaldo.

The selected team in full is:

Goalkeeper: Iker Casillas (Spain/Real Madrid)

Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Spain/Real Madrid); John Terry (England/Chelsea); Carles Puyol (Spain/ Barcelona); Rio Ferdinand (England/Manchester United)

Midfielders: Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool); Xavi (Spain/Barcelona); Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan).

Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina/Barcelona); Fernando Torres (Spain/Liverpool); Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal/Manchester United)

OurKop.com would like to congratulate our captain, Steven Gerrard, one getting his 100th goal for Liverpool with a peach of a freekick last night against PSV. It was only fitting that he got his 100 in front of The Kop. After having the goal against Stoke disallowed to take him to 100, the stage was set to get number 100 in the Merseyside Derby but that was not meant to be. I guess it was written that it had to come at Anfield just like his first goal in 1999 against Sheffield Wednesday at Anfield.

I remember that game as if it were yesterday and it’s funny how time has flown and Gerrard already has 100 goals. Out of those 100, there have been some pretty memorable ones. Stevie seems not to get many simple tap ins, but rather likes to score spectacular goals. Just to run through my all time favourites out of the Stevie G 100: The 30 yard screamer against Man Utd at Anfield when Barthez was in goal and the poor Frenchman had no chance of stopping it. Then the header in Istanbul that got us back into the game. How about that equaliser in the FA Cup final against West Ham? Even more recently, his goal against Marseille a few weeks back. The list is endless. What is your best Gerrard goal out of the 100?

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says Steven Gerrard could be fit to face Manchester United on Saturday after missing England’s World Cup qualifiers this week.

This seems to contradict Gerrards own statement earlier in the week that there is no way he would be fit as he has only took part in one light training session to date since undergoing his surgery.  Of course Rafa’s statement has the Pro-International Fans/Hierarchy up in arms again regarding the top managers putting club football ahead of internationals burt this isn’t the first time we have seen this nor it won’t be the last. I can distinctly remember John Terry recently missing a mid-week England game and playing on Saturday for some team down in scummy London and he is the freakin captain !!.

The statement on Gerrards fitness follows the revelation that Torres may also be fit as the injury was not thought to be as serious as the first assessments suggested. I only hope that the managment and staff are not feeling desperate and rushing our two best players back too early. There is such a thing as losing the battle but winning the war but then again losing a battle against you know who is hard to swallow and by God we are the ones finding this out in my opinion on too many occasions. On a serious note however rushing Torres and Gerrard back could set them back even further which would have a serious impact over the coming months, not forgetting (as I am sure you haven’t) we visit The Ginger Whingers Everton on the 27th which is another must win…YNWA

He will undergo the routine procedure sometime today and his recovery is estimated at 10-15 days. This will, unfortunately for him, rule out his playing in England’s two World Cup qualifiers in that time period.

In the long run for LFC, however it may be for the best that he get this sorted now, and the fact that it is on international time is even better.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery Stevie.

….does Steven Gerrard have?

Having watched the first 25 minutes of the qualifier today I have to say it pains me to see how absolutely deadset against using his left foot he is.

Riise anyone?

The transfer drama at Liverpool this summer looks set to continue and take a new twist. I think this is going to make a good show one day! Now Steven Gerrard picked up a knock in last nights win over Valerenga and he was substituted off in the first half. Reports today suggest that Gerrard will not be fit for the first leg of the Champions League qualifier next week. Now where the plot thickens; if Alonso plays in the qualifier, he is going to be cup-tied for the Champions League and thus if he leaves Liverpool and joins a team playing in the Champions League, he would not be allowed to play in the competition. This means that any potential ‘big’ team would not want to sign Alonso if he is not able to play in the Champions League for them and on the other hand, Alonso himself would not want to leave Liverpool and go play for a team not in the Champions League. Read the rest of this entry »