RAFAEL BENITEZ faces a major decision over the fitness of Steven Gerrard ahead of another make-or-break week for Liverpool.

The Anfield skipper has been ruled out of today’s Premier League visit to Fulham as he continues to struggle with a persistent groin problem.

And “worried” Gerrard is a major doubt for the must-win Champions League clash at Lyon on Wednesday, with Benitez admitting the 29-year-old may ultimately require surgery to repair the damage.

Gerrard has played just 25 minutes of Liverpool’s last four games after initially suffering the problem while on international duty with England earlier this month.

The captain now faces an intense period of treatment at Melwood with Liverpool prepared to give him every chance of recovery ahead of midweek journey to France.

But Benitez said: “I’m not sure if Stevie will need surgery. He’s working very hard with the physios. Now we have to be careful because we don’t want to take any risks.

“The scan now is okay in terms of the adductor. It is a groin problem. So we have to talk with to analyse if he has pain or not and talk with the doctor and the physios every day.

“He hasn’t suffered a setback this week, he’s just not progressing as we were expecting. We thought he could be ready for the last game, but it’s the same.

“If he cannot improve in a few days we will analyse again the situation. Next week we have to decide about the surgery. If he’s not doing well, we have to decide.”