From the offy Steven Gerrard is losing his battle to be fit to face Derby County at Anfield this weekend. The Liverpool skipper is still nursing the broken toe which sidelined him against Toulouse in midweek. "We'll train again this afternoon, but I spoke to Steven again yesterday and the news was not very positive," said Benitez. "It will be very difficult for him to play on Saturday. The doctor will continue to help him, but maybe it's too early for this weekend." Jamie Carragher will be absent as he recovers from a broken rib but Andriy Voronin, who missed Tuesday's victory with a thigh problem, should be available again. "Voronin didn't have a big problem but we decided to be careful against Toulouse," added the manager. "We also have Fabio Aurelio and Harry Kewell improving all the time and we hope to have them back in the squad soon."
No point risking him against the likes of Derby. I'd say Rafa would love to "exaggerate" the injury so as to hold onto him for treatment and not send him away on international duty risking further aggravation on the foot.
Spot on, we have more than enough to get by Derby with Stevie G in the team, and if Rafa manages to keep him away from McClarens claws for the international games, I'd be much more confident going into the Portsmouth game with a fully fit Stevie raring to go!
Have to say I would doubt if there is any other reason than if StevieG is not fully fit. Not sure about keeping him away from England duty. As you know SG is probably one of the most passionate players whether in a pool shirt of the England one. If he thought he could play he would be screaming at Rafa to let him play. We'll see, just gutted he wont be playing tomorrow for the trip!! And with missing Carra aswell. Boo hoo. Still have way too much for Derby, hope thats not a gypsies curse!! YNWA
He wasn't fully fit for Chelski game but still played a blinder! My point is Rafa won't take the same risks to have him in the team for Derby or send him off on international duty if the foots not fully healed. Stevie wouldn't have the final say in the matter as Liverpool not England pay his wages, even if he's mad to play as I'm sure he is.
id rather have him for the hard games and long season than risk him against a team we should have too much for anyway torres to bag a few against a leaky defence
if he is not 100% i would not play him against Derby, its not worth the risk. I wonder if he will play for england if he does not make the derby game?