Steve Gerrard fitness not big worry, says Rafa Benitez

Jul 21 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Gerrard fitness not big worry, says Benitez

RAFAEL BENITEZ has played down any fears over Steven Gerrard’s fitness for the start of the season.

The Liverpool skipper returned home early from the club’s training camp in Switzerland after suffering a groin problem.

Gerrard sat out the 2-1 win over FC Lucerne in Grenchen on Wednesday and was back on Merseyside for the 1-1 draw against Polish champions Wisla Krakow in Fribourg on Saturday.

The midfielder has already been ruled out of tomorrow’s friendly in Germany against Hertha Berlin but is likely to return for the trip to Villarreal the following week.

“Steven has a groin problem, it’s not serious but he cannot train and he wouldn’t be available for this game so we decided to send him back to Melwood for training,” said Benitez.

“He should be okay in about a week. It’s not serious but there’s no sense to keep him here being unable to train or play.”

Philipp Degen also missed Saturday’s game due to a groin problem, but is expected to be available tomorrow night.