Liverpool will not gamble on Steven Gerrard’s fitness by taking him on their Far East tour as he continues to recover from the groin surgery he had in March.
‘I’d really been looking forward to travelling out to China, Malaysia and Singapore,’ said Gerrard, whose team play Guangdong next Wednesday, face a Malaysia XI on July 16 and host a training session in Singapore the next day.
‘But it’s been decided the best course of action is for me is to continue my rehabilitation program at Melwood [training ground].’
The England international has not played since March 6 and started just 20 of 38 Premier League matches last season, compared to at least 30 in each of the previous five campaigns.
Instead, Liverpool is hoping Gerrard will be fully fit for their season opener against Sunderland on August 13.
Manager Kenny Dalglish said: ‘They are in the final stages of getting him back to full training. I'm sure there will be supporters disappointed that Steven is unable to be with us in Asia but I'm sure the same people will appreciate the importance of Steven giving himself the best possible opportunity of being fit to play against Sunderland on the opening day of the new campaign.
‘Steven continuing his rehabilitation program at Melwood is in everybody's long term interests.’
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