Thursday, October 15, 2009

Steven Gerrard Injury Fuels Rafael Benítez Frustration With Fabio Capello


Rafael Benítez is likely to seek an explanation from Steven Gerrard as to why he remained on international duty despite aggravating a groin problem against Ukraine on Saturday.

Gerrard finally withdrew from the England squad on Tuesday, after completing just 10 minutes of a gentle training session, the first time he has attempted to train since the weekend. He was escorted away by England physio Gary Lewin after complaining of suffering from pain, and was given permission to return to Liverpool.

However Gerrard will be at Wembley Stadium this evening, as one of the 55 players called up by Fabio Capello during the Italian's time in charge, and will sit with the likes of Michael Owen in an executive box set aside for the players.

That would suggest that Gerrard's groin injury is not too severe. He is certainly expected to be fit for Liverpool's Premier League game away to Sunderland on Saturday.

But if the midfielder is unable to play in that match, which is crucial to Benítez ahead of two even more important games, the Champions League double-header against Lyons, then the Spaniard will be annoyed and frustrated.

Benítez has clashed with Capello previously over Gerrard when the England manager insisted that the player report for on Tuesday that it had been Gerrard's decision to remain with England and receive treatment – unlike Wayne Rooney, who returned to Manchester United with a calf problem on Sunday after the squad returned from Ukraine.

"He stayed with us," Capello said of Gerrard. "We spoke after the game against Ukraine and he thought he'd be fit, perhaps for this game. He practised with us but, after 10 minutes, he felt it. It's not a big problem. He'll be fit in two or three days."

Asked whether he thought it was a mistake for Gerrard to have stayed with England, Capello said: "No, no. He decided to stay here. We asked him what he thought, and he thought he'd be fit. If he'd not been fit, he'd have gone home."

Benítez may be annoyed because it had appeared that Gerrard may not have started on Wednesday, with England planning a variation in formation and using wingers, so he was not necessarily required for Capello's squad for the 'dead rubber'.

Gerrard's possible absence would put a strain on Liverpool's resources as Javier Mascherano and Lucas are not due back from international duty until Friday.

No comments: