Apr 14 2009
Steven Gerrard Fit For Champions League?
photo: Nigel Wilson
Well, looks as though Rafa Benitez is about to make another mistake when it comes to injured players, just as he played Fernando Torres too early from his hamstring injuries earlier this season, the Spanish manager is going to play Gerrard from the start tonight. Now that’s a horrible idea because Steven Gerrard sustained a groin injury in Liverpool’s first leg match against Chelsea at Anfield, last week. A match that Chelsea dominated, handing the home side a 3-1 loss, a remarkable position when you consider that gives Chelsea three away goals going into Stamford Bridge.
I understand Steven Gerrard is a remarkable component of the Liverpool squad, and the team plays very differently without him. In fact Liverpool would be extremely hard pressed to overcome Chelsea without their captain, especially considering Liverpool need three goals to stand a chance of advancing. But playing him with a groin injury, especially from the start, just seems stupid in the long run. As even if Liverpool somehow advance, Gerrard could be injured worse and rendered useless for the remainder of the Champions League campaign, and also unavailable in the Premiership where Liverpool hope to overcome leaders Manchester United.
Rafa is making a very big gamble indeed, and I don’t know that it’s going to pay off.
