Goal Highlights: Liverpool 2-1 Sunderland

Liverpool reclaimed second position in the Barclays Premier League and closed the gap to leaders Chelsea to a single point with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland at Anfield on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard broke through the away side's stubbornness via an outstanding set-piece with moments remaining in the first half, then Daniel Sturridge doubled the advantage minutes after the restart with the help of a deflection.

Substitute Ki Sung-Yeung capitalised on too much space from a corner to the back post on 76 minutes to set up a nervy finale, but the hosts warded off the threat of a damaging equaliser to take the three points.

When teamsheets were handed in to the referee, the one bearing Liverpool's name confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had selected exactly the same starting XI and substitutes as the group that racked up a 6-3 victory over Cardiff City last weekend.

Glen Johnson and Philippe Coutinho both crashed long-range efforts high over the crossbar during the opening exchanges, before fans waited in expectancy as Luis Suarez braced over an inviting free-kick from 20 yards - but the ball travelled narrowly over the crossbar.

Next it was Sturridge's turn to train his sights from distance - off target from the right corner of the Sunderland area - and the No.15 was then unfortunate not to successfully redirect an outside-of-the-boot cross from his strike partner at the far post.

The Reds were dominating possession but finding the visitors difficult to break down, which prompted Joe Allen to unleash a drive after completing a one-two with Suarez, but that too was no danger to Vito Mannone between the posts.

Attempting to take matters into his own hands, the Reds' top scorer set off on a lengthy dribble which concluded with a left-footed punt shortly after the half-hour, but once again there was little to concern the Sunderland goalkeeper.

The home fans were in uproar when Santiago Vergini was shown merely a yellow card when he hauled down Suarez as he bore down on goal, but their annoyance quickly turned to joy when Gerrard stepped up to curl over the wall and past Mannone in the 39th minute.

Full reports: Official Liverpool FC

Image credits to Getty Images.

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Premier League Result: Fulham 2-3 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard struck the winner as Liverpool fought back from a double deficit at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night to claim a sensational 3-2 victory from their challenging Barclays Premier League encounter with Fulham.

The deadlock was broken in unexpected fashion on the evening as Kolo Toure unfortunately diverted a cross beyond his own goalkeeper, although Daniel Sturridge registered for the seventh consecutive league match for 1-1.

Kieran Richardson re-established the Londoners' lead in the second half by capitalising on another defensive error, but the Reds hauled themselves level once more courtesy of Philippe Coutinho's accurate conversion from distance.

But the stage was set for the skipper in the closing seconds, stepping up to dramatically convert from 12 yards after Sturridge had rightly been awarded a penalty for a late challenge by Sascha Riether.

One hour before kick-off, it was confirmed that Brendan Rodgers had selected an unchanged starting line-up for the fourth consecutive fixture; fit-again Daniel Agger was named among the substitutes, while Academy talent Joao Carlos Teixeira was included for the first time.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

Are Liverpool a genuine title contender?

Jose Mourinho claims Liverpool are the title-race danger-men because they are the one contender not liable to a spring meltdown.

Chelsea boss Mourinho believes the imminent return of the Champions League could destabilise any of the current top three.

Echoing comments he made in December, The Special One said: "People are asking if Arsenal might fall apart after what happened at Liverpool, but it can happen to any one of the three of us - any one - but not Liverpool, because they have this stability of playing one match a week.

Moving on, Brendan Rodgers is emerging as a manager capable of mixing it at the top of the table. He is now cast as the strong leader of a confident group. Thankfully, the envelopes have been put back in the drawer.

   "We might be the chihuahua that runs in between the legs of the horses," Rodgers said post-Fulham.

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Pre-season friendly: Melbourne Victory 0-2 Liverpool

Steven Gerrard's first-half strike and a late Iago Aspas goal sealed an encouraging 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in the second game of the Reds' three-match summer tour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The skipper's composed finish and Aspas' tap-in epitomised the entire team's impressive performance as they eased their way to yet another victory to maintain their 100 per cent record in pre-season so far.

Wholesale changes were made in the second half and the starting side's replacements looked just as assured in front of the 95,000 sell-out crowd as Brendan Rodgers' squad continued their preparations for the 2013-14 campaign.

An opening quarter of an hour that was starved of goalmouth action forced both sides to bid to break the deadlock in more ambitious circumstances.
Raheem Sterling caught a sight of goal but unfortunately sliced his 25-yard effort wide before Andrew Nabbout tested Brad Jones from similar range. A firm effort from the front-man forced the Australian custodian to palm away the danger.

Gerrard cut across Sterling's pass with a fierce strike that Nathan Coe leapt across to save before the Victory goalkeeper was rendered helpless by the Reds captain shortly after the half-hour mark.

Joe Allen surged through midfield and showed patience before sliding a pinpoint pass through to the onrushing Gerrard, allowing the skipper to calmly tuck the ball into the corner.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

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Full-Time Highlights: Liverpool 3-2 Tottenham

Steven Gerrard's late penalty secured a dramatic 3-2 victory for Liverpool over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds captain struck home from the spot with eight minutes remaining of an end-to-end contest to seal the three points.

Luis Suarez had put the Reds ahead on 21 minutes with a slick instant finish from Jose Enrique's pass in the box.

Spurs equalised just before half-time when centre-back Jan Vertonghen headed Gareth Bale's centre home from yards out.

The visitors' No.5 then put them in front shortly after the break when he lashed home a loose ball in the box from a free-kick the Reds couldn't clear to safety.

But Liverpool levelled on 66 minutes when Hugo Lloris made a mess of trying to deal with a wayward back pass, allowing Stewart Downing to go through on goal and drill into the net with the 'keeper out of position.

Then it was left to Gerrard to have the final say after Beniot Assou-Ekotto had brought down Suarez in the box - and the No.8 made no mistake with a low finish to clinch victory and move the Reds up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League.

The pre-match team news confirmed Pepe Reina would miss the contest due to injury, with Brad Jones deputising in the absence of the Spaniard. Daniel Sturridge, however, returned to an attack-minded starting XI after a knock.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher notched up his 500th league appearance for the club - only the second man to do so in Anfield history following Ian Callaghan.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

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Full-Time Highlights: Manchester City 2-2 Liverpool

Stunning long-range goals from Daniel Sturridge and Steven Gerrard helped Liverpool to a 2-2 draw against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Reds made a positive start to the contest, but were underdone midway through the opening period when Edin Dzeko ghosted into the box to convert James Milner's low centre from close range.

But Liverpool levelled up before the half-hour mark when Daniel Sturridge fired into the bottom corner from distance.

The visitors began to dominate and they got the goal their display merited when Steven Gerrard netted with a volley from distance after pouncing on Gael Clichy's clearance.

However, City secured a point when Sergio Aguero beat Pepe Reina to a long ball into the box and netted from a tight angle to ensure the points were shared.

Following the spirited midweek draw at Arsenal, Brendan Rodgers elected to make just one change to his line up with the fit-again Jose Enrique replacing Andre Wisdom in defence.

The Reds had impressed right from the off at the Emirates, but within 60 seconds of the game getting underway at the Etihad, Pepe Reina was required to tip a stinging David Silva drive over the bar.

Liverpool stood up firmly to the host's early pressure and, on 14 minutes, carved out a brilliant opening when a free-flowing move resulted in Sturridge touching a lofted pass into the box beyond Joe Hart, but Pablo Zabaleta was on hand to prevent the striker from turning the ball into the unguarded net.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

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Full-Time Highlights: Liverpool 4-0 Fulham

Liverpool signed off from 2012 at Anfield with a 4-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Fulham on Saturday night.

Martin Skrtel's emphatic finish gave the Reds an early lead as he volleyed powerfully beyond Mark Schwarzer after controlling a corner in the box before Steven Gerrard doubled the lead before half-time with a neat finish.

Stewart Downing extended Liverpool's advantage by cutting into the box and firing into the Kop end net in the early stages of the second half.

Luis Suarez wrapped it up in stoppage time to send Brendan Rodgers' side into eighth in the table, just five points off third-place Arsenal.

The Reds went into the day's late kick-off aiming to bounce back to winning ways following last weekend's 3-1 Anfield reversal at the hands of Aston Villa.

Rodgers made a handful of changes in order to hand some of his stars a breather ahead of the hectic Festive period, meaning starts for the likes of Suso and Downing while Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen began on the bench.

Liverpool began the brighter of the teams and after Daniel Agger had headed over and Jonjo Shelvey's flick had caused panic in the box, Skrtel thumped them into an eighth-minute lead as he controlled Gerrard's corner inside a crowded box and lashed a volley into the back of the net.

Full report: Official Liverpool FC

Alternative video source: FootyTube

 

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Europa League: Liverpool 3-0 FC Gomel

Fabio Borini netted his first Liverpool goal as the Reds clinched a place in the Europa League play-offs with a 3-0 win against FC Gomel.

Brendan Rodgers partnered the Italian with Luis Suarez for his first Anfield game as Reds manager and the pair combined for Liverpool's opener on 21 minutes.

The Reds won 4-0 on aggregate. Steven Gerrard tapped into an empty net minutes before half-time to add to Borini's opener before Glen Johnson fired a stunning volley past Vladimir Bushma to grab Liverpool's third on the night.

The home side started brightly and Anfield rose to its feet in anticipation every time Suarez jinked, whenever Lucas seized possession and when Borini shaped to shoot from the edge of the box on three minutes, only to see his effort blocked by a green and white shirt.

Gerrard demanded the ball constantly and stormed into an advanced role in behind the Gomel midfield. On nine minutes, Stewart Downing cut inside and slipped a pass into the skipper, who wrapped his right boot around the travelling ball and drilled it low into the arms of Bushma.

A sublime Liverpool move was to follow. Gerrard dummied a diagonal pass and sprinted onto the return ball from Suarez. Head raised, the captain surged towards goal before sliding a cutting pass through the Gomel defence to where the Uruguayan was poised to smash over the bar.

Full report: Liverpool FC Official

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Video: Watch Kenny Dalglish, Gerrard and Carragher on the FA Cup Final

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says he would be more satisfied by winning two cups than being fifth in the league.

  

Source: IndySportsNewsTV

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Video: Post Everton match interview with Dalglish and Gerrard

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish did not have the words to add to the existing acclaim of Steven Gerrard after his hat-trick heroics in the Merseyside derby.

Everton were defeated 3-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night, with England international Gerrard getting all three goals to end his club's three-game losing run.

It was a sweet return for the midfielder, who had missed the loss to Arsenal with a hamstring injury and only featured as a substitute in the weekend defeat at Sunderland.

And Dalglish, who has also seen his captain miss a large chunk of the season with a groin problem, claimed to not have the vocabulary to add further praise of the Kop idol.

But Liverpool's manager did also want to point to the performances of the likes of Jamie Carragher, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly against Everton.

   “All the local boys were fantastic for us,”

“Steven with a hat-trick - I'm not educated enough to add to the fantastic comments he has had before,”

“Jay Spearing was fantastic, (so were) Carragher and Kells' (Kelly) at right-back,”

“Obviously Steven getting three goals was a great reward for him,”

“He has had one or two bumps this season with injuries and to come back and get three in a local derby, I'm sure there will be a wee smile on his face,”

“I think it is a great reward for the players,”

“They played fantastic in the last game here against Arsenal and the performance didn't get the result it deserved,”

“The performance tonight got the result it deserved and that was three points.” Dalglish told Sky Sports HD 1

 

Source: Sky Sports

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 3-0 Everton

A comeback hat-trick from Steven Gerrard returned Liverpool to winning ways as they beat neighbours Everton 3-0 at Anfield.

The skipper opened the scoring in the first half before a brace in the second period saw the Reds record a fifth Premier League double over the Blues.

Three straight league defeats for Liverpool meant Everton could have overtaken their Merseyside rivals with victory at Anfield, but they were deservedly beaten as the hosts narrowed the gap to fourth spot to 10 points with as many fixtures remaining.

Kenny Dalglish fielded seven Englishman for the 217th Mersey rumble, including fit again Gerrard, who became only the 14th player to have made 400 top-flight appearances for Liverpool.

Immediately the Reds sought to impose themselves, Andy Carroll sprinting to contest a header with Marouane Fellaini. He won. The Kop roared.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Liverpool captain insist top four finish still possible

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted they cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to keep alive their slim hopes of finishing in the top four.

Saturday's defeat to Arsenal has left the Reds trailing the Gunners by ten points in the race for fourth spot and a place in next season's UEFA Champions League.

Gerrard, who missed the Arsenal game through injury, has rallied his team-mates not to give up on fourth place and fight until the end of the season.

"A few weeks ago, people were writing off Arsenal's season, but their recent performances show how foolish that is. That's what we need to do now," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror.

"We still have plenty of points to play for in the league, but it means we can't afford to drop too many more points between now and the middle of May if we want to get back into the top four.

"Competition for the [fourth] Champions League spot is very tough, but we still have to play most of the teams around us, and defeating those sides will still play a major part in deciding where we finish."

Source: SkySports

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Video: Kenny Dalglish’s pre-Arsenal press conference

Kenny Dalglish has confirmed Liverpool are waiting to discover the extent of the injury Steven Gerrard picked up on international duty – but the boss expects to be without Daniel Agger for a 'few weeks'.

Gerrard returned to Melwood today and will undergo assessment from the club's medical team after being substituted in the 32^nd minute of England's 3-2 defeat to Holland on Wednesday night.

Video source: YouTube

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City

Liverpool are through to the Carling Cup final after a pulsating 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Anfield on Wednesday night gave them a 3-2 aggregate victory.

It was no more than the Reds deserved for a lively performance and they can now look forward to contesting their first major final since 2007 against Cardiff City at Wembley in February.

With Liverpool leading 1-0 from the first leg, Nigel de Jong levelled the aggregate scoreline just after the half-hour mark when he found the back of the net from distance with the visitors' first real effort on goal following a dominant opening from the hosts.

But Liverpool went back ahead in the tie on 41 minutes when Steven Gerrard scored with a penalty after Micah Richards was adjudged to have blocked a Daniel Agger shot inside the box with his hand.

Read more: Liverpool FC Official

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Poll: Is Glen Johnson tackle merit a red card?

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was involved in an angry tunnel exchange with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after his side's 1-0 Carling Cup semi-final first-leg defeat.

The pair clashed twice with Gerrard annoyed at Mancini's response to a Glen Johnson tackle on Joleon Lescott.

Mancini criticised the two-footed tackle by Liverpool defender Johnson that was similar to Vincent Kompany's challenge on Nani in the 3-2 defeat by Manchester United.

Before the match Mancini had voiced his displeasure at Kompany's four-match ban.

Steven Gerrard rejected Mancini's criticisms and compared the incident to when Mancini had insisted Wayne Rooney was to blame for Kompany's red card in Sunday's Manchester derby at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish maintained he had not seen the incident.

Is this a red card?

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Carling Cup Semi-final First-Leg: Manchester City 0-1 Liverpool

Liverpool took a big step towards the Carling Cup final after they recorded a 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the semi-final, first-leg clash at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night.

Steven Gerrard capped a strong opening to the game from the Reds by scoring a 13^th minute penalty after Daniel Agger had been brought down inside the box.

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FA Cup: Liverpool 5-1 Oldham Athletic

Whoever were unable to watch the match live on TV can watch this goal highlights by sportnetworld at Videa.

The Latics made a plucky start to the contest and having gone close on several occasions, they opened the scoring in the 28^th minute courtesy of Robbie Simpson's dipping volley from distance.

Liverpool comeback from behind to win this tie, goals from Bellamy and Gerrard’s penalty before half-time making sure the Reds are in the driving seat at half-time. In the second half, Liverpool pressed on with goals from Shelvey, Carroll and Downing to capped off a magnificent performance of the night.

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LFC: Striker Needed

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

I watched the Liverpool match the other night against Manchester City and although I think they played well enough, they were seriously lacking as an attacking force. The ban on Suarez is going to be a real problem, and you could see that there was a lack of movement or options with Carroll playing a lone striking role.

I am not having a go at Andy Carroll, but if Liverpool want to play the big man up front I believe he needs a playing partner alongside him. Carroll doesn’t have the pace or movement to terrify defenders, so he needs some support, because he is good at holding the ball up and winning headers.

Liverpool have very few options in attack, they have Carroll who has struggled to score so far, Dirk Kuyt is another option, or Bellamy who has a lot of pace which could be their best option. The fit again Gerrard could play just behind a lone striker or Shelvey, who played this role against Aston Villa.

But the options are very few with or without Suarez and Liverpool should be looking to bring another striker in this January, because it is imperative that they finish in the top four this season or they could drift away from being a top four club as the gap could widen.

Liverpool are in a decent position in the League at the moment, within striking distance of the top four, but with a lack of firepower, this could be a serious problem for the rest of the season. To be fair, scoring goals has been a problem all season, with so many chances spurned from the Anfield side, but the problem will be greater, especially with the absence of the influential Suarez.

Out of the attackers Liverpool have at their disposal, Craig Bellamy has looked the most likely to score. Kuyt has been struggling to get a game and hasn’t scored all season after finishing top scorer last season and Andy Carroll has struggled to fit in to the Liverpool style of play. The team can’t depend on the superb defence to limit the opposition all the time as the attackers struggle to score.

January is historically a difficult month to bring new players in, but Liverpool should be scouring the planet for another striker, or this season could drift away after so much promise. We will just have to watch this space for the next month and hope Liverpool can bring a much needed striker in to bring success this season.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Match Report: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United

By guest writer: Jamie McLaughlin

With the games coming thick and fast at this busy time of the year Liverpool were next to face a Newcastle side at Anfield who have had a great start to the season, but have started to struggle a bit in recent times. Liverpool went into the match trying to sort out their home form having drawn far too many for Dalglish’s liken. An added interest in this fixture is former Newcastle favourites’ Enrique and Andy Carroll facing their old team.

THE TEAM

Kenny made two changes to the side that drew with Blackburn on Boxing Day, with Bellamy and Spearing coming in for Maxi and the suspended Suarez. So all eyes were on Andy Carroll in the absence of Luis Suarez to find his goal scoring form against his old team. The defence was unchanged leaving Carragher once again on the bench with Adam and Spearing in the middle of midfield and Bellamy on the left and Downing playing once again on the right. Gerrard started on the bench as he looks to get his match fit.

THE MATCH

Liverpool started on the offensive and Adam miscued an early chance in the first couple of minutes. Then Agger made a surging run from defence only to drag his shot five yards wide. Liverpool kept up the pressure and Downing had the next chance with a near post drive but Krul was equal to it.

But Liverpool was stunned in the 25^th minute when Taylor sent in a dangerous cross which was flicked on by Cabaye only to be diverted past Reina via Agger’s arm. It was a real shock to the home side who had been on the attack for most of the half.

But Liverpool responded quickly and drew level just 4 minutes later when Bellamy fired in a low drive after good work from Adam. The home side continued to press and Martin Skrtel almost made it two but he headed just wide from a corner.

The second half started with Liverpool struggling to get possession as Newcastle found their passing game. There was a feeling inside Anfield that this could be another one of these games that would end up in a draw. Dalglish brought on Gerrard with half an hour to go and he lifted the whole stadium. Suddenly Gerrard was orchestrating Liverpool. Gerrard sent over a superb cross from the right but Carroll just failed to connect and then Gerrard found Carroll inside the box with a superb pass but the big striker’s control let him down when clean through.

Then in the 67^th minute Liverpool were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out, Bellamy’s shot flew past Krul thanks to Carroll making a nuisance of himself in front of Krul, confusing Simpson and Krul. There was relief all around Anfield. But Newcastle almost equalized when Ba got behind the Liverpool defence, but his clipped effort was brilliantly cleared off the goal line by Skrtel who ended up in the net.

Next Gerrard whipped in a dangerous cross which Carroll headed off the crossbar, but Liverpool got their deserved third goal when a good move ended up with Gerrard bursting into the left side of the penalty area before slotting the ball underneath Krul from a tight angle sending the crowd wild in celebration. Liverpool saw out the rest of the match comfortably giving them a much needed home win.

SUMMARY

Great to see Bellamy come back into the side with Carroll up front in the absence of Suarez. I was very worried when we fell behind to a freakish goal as we were struggling to create many chances. Bellamy was superb and took his goals superbly. Jay Spearing was superb and lucky to have both legs intact after being on the end of a horrific tackle. But I felt this is the fewest chances we have created in a match and yet we scored three goals which is very pleasing. But the turning point was the introduction of Gerrard who produced so many quality crosses and passes and what a goal. Great credit to Skrtel who produced an amazing clearance off the line. Great to see us get a much needed win at home.

Man Of The Match – Bellamy – scored 2 goals and was dangerous all night, great energy and pace shown.

Written by Jamie McLaughlin, who writes for Anfield News

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Video Highlights: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle

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Infection kept Liverpool skipper on the sideline

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard facing the agony of lengthy injury lay-off due to an infected ankle.

Gerrard had fluid drained from the ankle at a Liverpool hospital yesterday and the club are now awaiting to gauge the effect of that procedure.

There are fears, however, that the injury will force Gerrard out for a prolonged spell.

Confirmation of the recovery time is likely to arrive tomorrow, but there was a grim mood at Anfield as the captain received treatment.

Gerrard is understood to be distraught that what seemed to be an innocuous cut on his ankle, sustained in training last week, has developed into a potentially more serious problem.

The 31 year-old Liverpool stalwart has only recently returned to Premier League action after a six month absence due to an unrelated groin problem, and he was just regaining his full match fitness. He has endured a nightmarish few months, and is believed to be devastated at the prospect of a further prolonged absence.

This latest setback means Gerrard is certain to miss England's forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden on Nov 12 and 15, games which manager Fabio Capello is using to assess his options for Euro 2012.

Liverpool were already eager for Gerrard to be used sparingly by the Italian due to his long absence from the previous injury, but Capello will now know there is no possibility the player will be available for selection.

That will be a source of immense frustration to Gerrard, who has not appeared for his country since the friendly defeat by France last November, but it is the injury’s impact on the player himself and Liverpool’s quest to regain a Champions League place which will be of greater concern for his club.

Much of the stress will be caused by the bewilderment about how and why the injury deteriorated so badly in the 24 hours before Liverpool’s 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.

Gerrard travelled with the rest of the Liverpool squad to the Midlands on Friday.

He was already in some discomfort due to the knock he sustained on the ankle, but it was anticipated it would heal quickly and he would be fit to face Roy Hodgson’s side.

Instead, it got worse and on Saturday morning it was clear he would not be fit for selection and Gerrard returned to Merseyside for treatment.

The latest setback has come in the midst of key period of the season.

Liverpool play Swansea in the Premier League next weekend and have high-profile fixtures with Chelsea and Manchester City following the international break, as well as a Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Kenny Dalglish is as concerned as Gerrard to establish the full extent of the damage.

He had hoped on Saturday it would only be a minor knock and the player would be fit within a week.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Source: Telegraph

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