STEVEN GERRARD faces a race against time to be fit for the start of a pivotal week in Liverpool’s season.
The Anfield skipper underwent a scan yesterday after his withdrawal from the England squad for last night’s final World Cup qualifier due to a groin problem.
The results have revealed the problem is slightly worse than England had originally feared, with it likely Gerrard has suffered a very minor tear of his adductor.
It means the captain is doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland, the start of a testing trio of games that sees Liverpool host Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday then entertain Manchester United next weekend.
Gerrard initially suffered the problem during England’s 1-0 defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, and was substituted at half-time.
Nevertheless, the player continued to train with the national team despite the problem, and there is some anger within the Anfield ranks that Gerrard wasn’t sent back to Melwood earlier than Tuesday, when he limped out of training with England after aggravating the injury.
Benitez will also have been unimpressed by the sight of Fernando Torres on the bench for Spain in their closing World Cup qualifier in Bosnia.
Before the game, Spain’s team doctor expressed his concerns over the fitness of the striker, who went off injured against Armenia at the weekend but was given the all-clear after a subsequent scan.
“He has pains when he moves sometimes, mostly when he kicks the ball with his right foot,” said Dr Juan Jose Garcia Cota. “If he plays, he would be running an unnecessary risk. He should not be forced.
“After training (on Tuesday) he told me ‘it hurts when I kick the ball.”
Meanwhile prospective Liverpool FC investor Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah has claimed talks over buying a significant stake in the club are nearing conclusion.
Prince Faisal met with Anfield co-owner George Gillett in Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh yesterday to discuss a number of issues, including that of potential investment.
Both Gillett and fellow American Tom Hicks have already stated they are willing to dilute their powerbase at Liverpool to help pump fresh cash into the club.
