Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard dealt Rafa Benitez another crushing blow last night.
Just 24 hours after being humiliated by Chelsea at Anfield, the England midfielder was almost certainly ruled out of the Reds' next three games.
Gerrard is set to miss tomorrow's home match against Blackburn and boss Benitez will leave him out of the Champions League return at Chelsea on Tuesday.
That rest could give him a 50-50 chance of being fit to face Arsenal at Anfield on April 21.
Benitez could decide to risk his captain against Blackburn this weekend, in a game Liverpool MUST win to keep their title dream alive.
But it would be a massive gamble that could aggravate the problem. It seems more likely the manager will rest Gerrard for the next two weeks, and attempt to get him fit to face Arsenal.
The Liverpool boss knows it is pointless risking his skipper in the Chelsea game, given his side face an almost hopeless task, needing to win by three goals to claw back the deficit.
Instead Gerrard looks likely to be left with a battle to be fit for the league game that will go a long way to deciding who will be champions this season.
Liverpool have a break after their European trip because of the FA Cup semifinals, before they entertain the Gunners.
If Liverpool win that they will feel they can still catch Manchester United, and they will be desperate to have their captain available.
Liverpool will get the results of the scan this morning to determine exactly how long Gerrard will be out, at a time when they need him most.
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