Gerrard Could Miss Rest Of The Season

Kenny Dalglish has admitted that Steven Gerrard could be forced to undergo surgery in order to cure his groin problem, with reports suggesting the Liverpool captain could miss much of what remains of the season.

Gerrard did not travel with Liverpool for their Europa League tie against Braga on Thursday evening as he continues to struggle with the injury, which has afflicted him for a month but did not prevent him from playing in the 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday.

It is reported on Thursday morning that Gerrard will be sidelined for three weeks at the very least if he does require surgery, meaning he would miss England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales on March 26. Dalglish says further tests are required before deciding whether his captain will be operated on.

"He's not suffered any aggravation - he's just got a problem with his groin," Dalglish said. "He's not travelled, we'll have a look at it, and should know on Friday what we will have to do.

"It's the same problem. And for us and Steven it's a big enough problem we have got to find a solution to. We'll know better on Friday, where we stand exactly, but it's nothing too serious. We don't want to speculate about anybody, especially Steven.

"It's a problem that's minimal, but it needs to be fixed, and if it takes some time to get it fixed, we'll get it fixed."

Though Dalglish has a long and storied history at Anfield, the Europa League campaign remains something of a novelty as it is the first time he has managed the club in a continental competition. However, the Scot says he has not attached extra importance to the Braga fixture as a result.

"It is no less an ambition to me than winning the next game,'' he said.”It is not about Kenny Dalglish and my ambition, it is the club's ambitions and they have an ambition to be in a much healthier position than they are at this time.

"We will strive to do our best to get as far up the [league] table as we can and also in the Europa League and we will see where it takes us. But we won't lose out on anything from a lack of desire."