Liverpool expect Gerrard recovery
Monday, April 21, 2008
Article summary
Steven Gerrard should be fit to captain Liverpool FC in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final tie against Chelsea FC tomorrow despite a neck injury.
Article body
'Always dangerous'
Gerrard, 27, played no part as Liverpool won 2-0 at Fulham FC to increase their advantage over Everton FC to eight points with three games to play as the city rivals compete for fourth place in the Premier League. Manager Rafael Benítez told the club's official website: "With the neck, you never know. The neck is always dangerous so you need to wait. I think he was a little bit better on Saturday. We'll wait.
New position?
"The other day, he wanted to play but he was only able to look to the right, so I told him he could play as a left winger! We'll see if he can turn his head round and look the other way now. We will talk together with the doctor. The player will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way of finding out whether he's fit. I will come up and tap him on the left shoulder and if he turns to face me without any pain, we will know he can play."
Six goals
The England midfielder has scored six goals in the competition this season, a tally only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo who has struck seven in Manchester United FC's run to the semi-finals. Liverpool's last-four tie concludes at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday 30 April.
