Sport

Rafa admits Gerrard United fear
by Ben Blackmore, 28 August 2008

Rafa admits Gerrard United fear

Rafa Benitez has admitted Steven Gerrard could well miss Liverpool’s first big title showdown of the season against Manchester United.

Benitez confirmed after Wednesday’s Champions League triumph over Standard Liege that Gerrard will undergo surgery on a minor groin injury.

The operation will guarantee the talismanic midfielder’s absence from England’s two World Cup 2010 qualifiers in September, as well as Liverpool’s league trip to Aston Villa.

Early indications were that the operation had been timed in such a way that would allow Gerrard to return for the United clash at Anfield on September 13.

However, Benitez admits his skipper may miss out, preferring only to guarantee that Gerrard will be fit for the start of The Reds’ Champions League campaign.

"We decided that Steven would play through the pain against Liege and then have the operation,” Benitez told The Liverpool Echo.

"He may not be fit for the Manchester United game, but he certainly will be okay for the first group stage match next month."

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Comments

lis - 29 August 2008 11:07: we can cope with out him; Report this to a moderator

"Rush" Scourge of Everton" - 29 August 2008 09:16: KD We need to be in group stages of Champions League because of Laurel and Hardy( Gillet and Hicks) remember. Broken promises, new stadium still a pipedream etc. WE need all the cash we can get; Report this to a moderator

stevie hano - 29 August 2008 08:53: stevie will be fit but even if he's not without ronaldo you septics are nothin!!!! and with rooney's smokin in pre season i doubt last the 1st half ha!! utd hold no fear factor now most of your team don't even like livin or playing there oh how the mighty have fallen hahahahaha!!!! scouse n proud; Report this to a moderator

Innocent Igwe - 29 August 2008 08:22: Lfc fan. Dis is our year. Let him rest after d operation & Alonso do d running arround. I trxt him 2 giv us d inspiration we need. We cn win without our skipper. Enough is enough 4 manu.; Report this to a moderator

stevie hano scouse red - 29 August 2008 07:31: Gerrard'll be sound for the septic match, rafas just doing the arl fergie mind games anyway without ronaldo the septics are nothin and with fat boy rooney smoking all them ciggies pre season i'll be suprised if he lasts an half ha. hope you buy that quilt berba too he'll end up cryin sooner rather later!! red 4 eva the ONLY reds of the north west!!!!!!!; Report this to a moderator

arsenal - 28 August 2008 23:01: is it just me or is rafe benitez looking more and more like the bloke who stole woody in toy story 2..?. come on people lets buy the man a chicken suit!!!.; Report this to a moderator

Balie Sonsoiy - 28 August 2008 22:23: Looking at recent results it seems that Steven Gerrard has rescued Liverpool so yes the will miss him. It's a shame cause Anderson would have relished yet another battle with Gerrard!!; Report this to a moderator

LFC - 28 August 2008 21:44: Liverpool can win matches with or without Gerrard, we aint a one man team like Arsenal(Fabregas) and Manure(Ronaldo). lol at the boro fan, we beat you by playing shite 12M for Alves, what a joke!!!!!!!; Report this to a moderator

35241 - 28 August 2008 20:39: fakunle morakinyo first of all spell his name right, and the rest of u can shut up.; Report this to a moderator

JT - 28 August 2008 20:38: Its not like he got a chance of beating United. He should be afraid of getting thrashed by united.; Report this to a moderator

jose walker - 28 August 2008 19:55: are you mancs real, gerard will play as will keane, torres our two new signings etc ronaldho on the other hand will not .bring it on you manc tourist prawn sandwicheating clowns; Report this to a moderator

olliered83 - 28 August 2008 19:49: Gerrard will be missed no one can deny that but don't forget Torres and Keane with out Gerrard in the squad we can still damage don't be fooled by the recent performances liverpool are training hard on link up play and against ununited we will tackle just as hard we will attack just as hard and we will defend just as hard i remeber a game that tevez scored a lucky defected goal and i also remember a retarded ref sending Mashers so don't be counted eggs that have by far not hatched i personally think we will play 4-5-1 which worked very well for us last season Torres with Keane just behind Man Utd be warned beating you is just as special as beating Everton i promise you you will be kicking and screaming in the final moments of that match with Sir Ferguson ass going one p two p all the way YNWA the most sucessful English club in the history of the beautiful game; Report this to a moderator

elninoT9 - 28 August 2008 19:31: gerrard wil be determined to be fit enough for the united match, he wud be disappointed if he only made the bench never mind in the squad, shows he is a true leader. any united r missin ronaldo so they havent got much players who r a real goal threat apart from tevez.; Report this to a moderator

tom - 28 August 2008 19:08: message to kd....."why is the champions league more..........." one word my friend, money!; Report this to a moderator

tom - 28 August 2008 19:08: message to kd....."why is the champions league more..........." one word my friend, money!; Report this to a moderator

tom - 28 August 2008 19:07: message to kd....."why is the champions league more..........." one word my friend, money!; Report this to a moderator

boro fan - 28 August 2008 19:01: dosnt make any difference with or with out liverpool are not champion material; Report this to a moderator

Red Devils - 28 August 2008 18:30: Man u , You are very right , who cares whether he isback or Not, Maybe they are afraid of lossing the game with a high score sheet.. 4-0 :)); Report this to a moderator

Steven Gerrard - 28 August 2008 18:28: They are a better team without me!!!; Report this to a moderator

,Robyouknow,Blimey. Whats wrong with Rafa.? His team always have an inferiority complex when they face lucky Man U.,SEND - 28 August 2008 18:21: ,Robyouknow,Blimey. Whats wrong with Rafa.? His team always have an inferiority complex when they face lucky Man U.,SEND; Report this to a moderator

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