Liverpool hit by Gerrard injury
Tuesday, 05 Aug 2008 22:31
It is Gerrard's second injury of pre-season
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard could be a major doubt for the start of the new season after suffering a thigh injury in Liverpool's 4-1 win over Norwegian side Valerenga in Oslo.
Gerrard limped off after just 27 minutes of Tuesday's friendly win, and now must be doubtful for next Tuesday's vital Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege, as well as his side's trip to
Sunderland in the Premier League opener the following weekend.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez confirmed that Gerrard is a major doubt.
"It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week," the Spaniard told the official Liverpool website.
It is Gerrard's second injury of pre-season, having previously been forced to return home from their training camp in Switzerland with a groin problem.
On the pitch, Benitez saw his side score four goals for the second consecutive pre-season game.
After a slow start from a near full-strength Liverpool side,
Arsenal target Xabi Alonso opened the scoring with a brilliant effort in the 20th minute.
Valerenga equalised just after half-time through Bojan Zajic, but Fernando Torres restored Liverpool's lead with a cool finish just two minutes later.
Yossi Benayouin extended their advantage with a delightful chip, before new signing David Ngog made it four. It was the young Frenchman's second strike in as many games.
But the injury to Gerrard took the shine off an otherwise emphatic victory.