Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liverpool injury news: Steven Gerrard could miss up to a fortnight and Raheem Sterling faces fitness test before Crystal Palace FA Cup tie

Gerrard picked up a hamstring injury in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Tuesday

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 12 February 2015 13:49 GMT
Comments
Steven Gerrard was forced off during the 3-2 win over Spurs after suffering a hamstring injury
Steven Gerrard was forced off during the 3-2 win over Spurs after suffering a hamstring injury (Getty Images)

Steven Gerrard could be out for up to a fortnight after suffering a hamstring injury which forced him off during Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Tuesday.

Gerrard scored from the penalty spot after Daniel Sturridge was tripped by Danny Rose to put Liverpool 2-1 up and take his season goal tally to double figures, but he was forced off with 20 minute to go with a hamstring strain.

He looks set to miss this weekend’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Crystal Palace, and manager Brendan Rodgers will hope to have him back sooner rather than later with the Europa League last-32 double-header against Fiorentina getting underway next week.

Rodgers’ assistant manager Colin Pascoe revealed the injury after the game, and confirmed that the 34-year-old will undergo a scan this morning to determine the full extent of the damage.

"Unfortunately he felt his hamstring towards the end of the game and he is having a scan this morning and we are just waiting for results to come back,” Pascoe said.

Gerrard’s absence adds to Liverpool’s problems in midfield, with defensive midfielder Lucas already ruled out for up to six weeks having suffered a thigh injury in the weekend draw against Merseyside derby rivals Everton.

Raheem Sterling was another to pick up a knock in the game at Goodison Park, but the England youngster could return against Palace on Saturday if he passes a fitness test in his injured foot.

Pascoe added: "We are monitoring Raheem. He missed a game the other night but we will see how he is.

"Hopefully the scans (on Gerrard) won't show too much but as we've not got the results I can't say too much."

Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring against Spurs (Getty Images)

In the absence of Gerrard and Lucas, Rodgers has limited options in the middle, with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson set to be joined by one other in a three-man formation. Rodgers could look to sacrifice one of those midfielders and play Mario Balotelli alongside Daniel Sturridge following his match-winning cameo on Tuesday, although Emre Can could also be moved forward from his current position in defence.

Can is a natural midfielder, although he has adapted well to the right-centre-back role he’s found himself in recently and he was rewarded for his form with a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Month.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in