Reds hope for good news on Gerrard

Liverpool are assessing the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard after he aggravated a persistent groin problem during Wednesday night's Champions League defeat by Chelsea.

The England midfielder, who had surgery on his groin in the summer, will undergo a scan on Thursday to asses the extent of the injury but he could miss Saturday's Premier League match against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.

Gerrard also complained of a tight groin during the 1-0 victory over Fulham last weekend and was withdrawn at Craven Cottage as a precaution.

Following Wednesday's 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea it looks likely the Reds will bow out of the Champions League and with little margin for error in the Premier League title race with Manchester United Gerrard's absence would be a big blow.

The 28-year-old was branded as the best midfielder in the world by former FIFA Player of the Year Zinedine Zidane following Liverpool's recent victory over Real Madrid and his partnership with striker Fernando Torres provides Liverpool's most potent threat.

Liverpool would not confirm any injury problem for Gerrard on Thursday, but on Wednesday night boss Rafael Benitez alluded to a problem.

He said after the match: "Steven was not 100% - you could see that.

"He was not as mobile as normally, Chelsea made it very difficult for him.

"The injury he had on Saturday was not the problem, his ankle was okay. But we do not know how he is, we will see tomorrow."

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I hope it's nothing serious. And if he's injured, please return fast

Play Benayoun in the hole against Blackburn, then.

We need him at his best for one of our European specials.

I feel we can beat Blackburn without him, but really need him for next Tuesday night.

sh*t.

Liverpool are bracing themselves for bad news as they await an assessment of Steven Gerrard's latest fitness concern.

The Reds captain arrived at the club's Melwood training complex for fitness tests on Thursday morning and results are being reviewed by medical experts.

Gerrard was a doubt for Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg defeat to Chelsea after being substituted late on in last weekend's win at Fulham as a precaution due to an ankle problem.

The 29-year-old has experienced a number of fitness problems this season and was sidelined in February with a hamstring injury, and he has also suffered with groin problems.

There is now speculation that the England midfielder has suffered a recurrence of a previous groin complaint.

As yet a decision has not been made over whether he needs a scan on the injury, which could rule him out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Blackburn and next Tuesday' return leg with Chelsea.
Setback

Liverpool have not confirmed any injury setback for Gerrard but after the defeat to Chelsea, boss Rafa Benitez alluded to a new problem.

He said: "Steven was not 100 per cent - you could see that. It was the same

for Fernando Torres, you could see that they were a little tired, not as sharp as before.

"But they have been playing well and we felt it was okay to use them both in this game. We need them.

"But credit to Chelsea, they were always controlling Steven and making it difficult for him to play.

"He was not as mobile as normally, Chelsea made it very difficult for him.

"But the difference in this match was that Chelsea played really well and we didn't.

"The injury he had on Saturday was not the problem, his ankle was okay. But we do not know how he is, we will see tomorrow."

He is very unlikely to start both Saturday's Premier League clash with Blackburn and in Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final at Chelsea.