Steven Gerrard

[Mostar]

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/102493.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Liverpool deny Gerrard setback

Liverpool have moved to quell reports that Steven Gerrard could be set to miss up to the first two months of the season, after claims that his groin injury is worse than first thought.

A Sunday newspaper had written that the club were braced for the fact they will have to start the new Premier League campaign without their skipper after complications arose in the recovery from his current injury.

Such a layoff would also force him to miss England's international friendly with Netherlands on August 10 and struggle to be fit for the Euro 2012 qualifier with Wales on September 6, but the Reds are adamant the midfielder has not suffered any sort of setback.

"Steven Gerrard's rehabilitation is progressing as planned," the club told ESPNsoccernet.

Gerrard, 31, was not with the club on their recent tour of Asia as he continued his recovery on Merseyside.

[Charly]

That picture is ripe for a "Spearing".

We did well without Gerrard back of last season. We need to be looking to the future anyway. For too long we have been reliant on one or two players. We now have more than one player who can pick a pass.

[Mostar]

http://www.clickliverpool.com/sport/liverpool-fc/1213904-steven-gerrard-targeting-liverpool-fc-return-against-valencia.html

Steven Gerrard targeting Liverpool FC return against Valencia

Steven Gerrard is aiming to make his awaited Liverpool comeback against Valencia.

With under three weeks before the new Premier League season kicks off, doubts over the Reds captain's fitness have surfaced after he underwent surgery twice in as many months.

Gerrard first went under the knife in March to correct the groin problem which ended his season, following Liverpool's 3-1 win over champions-elect Manchester United.

Valencia travel to Anfield on August 6 for Liverpool's final pre-season friendly and Gerrard is hopeful of featuring in the game, ahead of Sunderland's opening day visit a week later.

The 31-year-old midfielder vowed in June that he would return to action in his best condition for over a decade, following a second successful operation on the injury in April.

"I have confidence in what I can do," he told the Daily Express at the time.

"I am going to be in the best condition physically going into this season that I have been for the last 10 years.

"I know I will be rusty in friendlies but I have confidence that I am going to be the freshest I have been, both mentally and physically, for a long, long time.

"I've not kicked a ball for a long time, probably the longest I have gone in my career, and I can't wait to get back now."

Alberto Aquilani, meanwhile, is expected to complete his loan switch to Fiorentina this week.

The playmaker returned to Liverpool this summer after a season-long stint with Juventus but the Serie A giants, and their competitors, refused to sign him on a permanent deal.

Reports in Italy, however, claim La Viola will hand Aquilani a return to his homeland with another season-long loan with some sources claiming he will wear the number 10 shirt.

The 27-year-old has impressed in pre-season for Liverpool, even earning plaudits from owner John Henry following his display against a Malaysia XI little over a fortnight ago.

But with a currently overstocked midfield, bolstered by the signings Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, has ensured that Aquilani continues to remain surplus to requirement.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

What the mother****? Why we sending aquilani on another seasons loan? I hope that is bull****

[Mostar]

I hopes too but this speculation seems to be growing.

Allegedly he spent Sunday with his agent in Florence trying to work out all details.

[yamiedo]

Before, knowing we were without Stevie at the start of the season would strike fear into me but with the depth we have now, it could actually be a blessing in disguise. Personally, I'd like to see Aquilani get a run in the team and see if he can keep his place. The guy's clearly got heaps of talent and hes looking impressive. So good to have so many good midfielders now. Not putting all our hopes in Gerrard like we once did.

[Exiled_red]

What the mother****? Why we sending aquilani on another seasons loan? I hope that is bull****

It seems crazy to do it again

[RedReet]

I hopes too but this speculation seems to be growing.

Allegedly he spent Sunday with his agent in Florence trying to work out all details.

Don't do it Albert, Florence is a hellhole.

[kev776]

-----------------Carroll

Downing-----Gerrard/Louis------Kuyt

[Norbs]

-----------------Kuyt

Downing-----Luis------Gerrard


FTW

[Roboklopp]

God no. I have never seen anything to remotely suggest he could be a manager.

Aye.

[Baracus]

So the twitters were right. Out till September, not even started pre-season.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Don't matter, we will do ok without him. But once he is back He's going to destroy teams. I have a feeling he is going to have one of his best seasons ever.

[Vermilion]

Till September eh, and in hospital for 7 days undergoing a course of anti biotics to do with his groin op, precautionary, they say.

[-V-]

Nah, too much blind faith on here regarding Stevie. He's been on the decline for a couple of years now and we'll never see the old Gerrard again. He will keep having injury plagued stop start seasons.

Thats why we need to keep hold of both Meireles and Aquilani