Rafael Benitez must decide whether to risk the fitness of Steven Gerrard during Liverpool’s increasingly pivotal Champions League clash at Real Madrid tomorrow.
The Anfield skipper will board the plane for Spain today after being included in the squad to play at the Bernabeu in the first knockout round first leg tie.
Gerrard has been sidelined for almost three weeks after suffering a small hamstring tear early on in the FA Cup fourth round replay defeat at Everton.
The 28-year-old, who has been undergoing intense rehabilitation in a bid to be fit for the trip to Madrid, came through a training session yesterday morning.
However, Benitez admits the player was not fully extended during the fitness test and doubts remain over whether Gerrard will be able to command a starting role.
“Steven will be in the squad,” said the Liverpool manager yesterday. “He was okay in training this morning. It was a special training session so we were not testing him 100%, but he trained okay so we will see.”
Tomorrow’s Champions League tie has taken on extra significance given Liverpool’s indifferent form in the Premier League.
The Anfield outfit’s championship challenge has floundered in recent weeks to allow leaders Manchester United to stretch seven points clear.
And having been dumped out of the FA Cup by their neighbours, Europe once again appears the most likely route to silverware for Benitez’s side.
Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool’s title hopes were dealt a severe blow by that result, but reckons the Anfield outfit can reignite their challenge provided they win at Old Trafford on March 14.
“It’s going to be difficult but we aren’t about to throw in the towel,” he said. “There are still points to be played for.
“We were disappointed to lose two points against City and it puts more pressure on us to go to Old Trafford and try and get a win, but if you want to win the title, that’s what you’ve got to do.
“We’ve been to some big grounds this season and got some good results so hopefully we can do that there too.
“We can’t worry too much about what Man United are doing. We’ve got to focus on our own matches and try and do better.”
Sunday’s draw was Liverpool’s sixth such result in 13 home league games this season.
And Carragher added: “We have drawn too many at home but we don’t know how the season will end yet and we could still go on a great run and catch Manchester United.
“We are capable of that, but if at the end of the season it hasn’t gone as well as we would have liked, it’s something we will probably look at.
“A lot of teams come to Anfield and sit deep and that’s something we’ve got to try and overcome at home. We don’t lose often here but we need to turn some of the draws into wins.”
The Anfield skipper will board the plane for Spain today after being included in the squad to play at the Bernabeu in the first knockout round first leg tie.
Gerrard has been sidelined for almost three weeks after suffering a small hamstring tear early on in the FA Cup fourth round replay defeat at Everton.
The 28-year-old, who has been undergoing intense rehabilitation in a bid to be fit for the trip to Madrid, came through a training session yesterday morning.
However, Benitez admits the player was not fully extended during the fitness test and doubts remain over whether Gerrard will be able to command a starting role.
“Steven will be in the squad,” said the Liverpool manager yesterday. “He was okay in training this morning. It was a special training session so we were not testing him 100%, but he trained okay so we will see.”
Tomorrow’s Champions League tie has taken on extra significance given Liverpool’s indifferent form in the Premier League.
The Anfield outfit’s championship challenge has floundered in recent weeks to allow leaders Manchester United to stretch seven points clear.
And having been dumped out of the FA Cup by their neighbours, Europe once again appears the most likely route to silverware for Benitez’s side.
Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool’s title hopes were dealt a severe blow by that result, but reckons the Anfield outfit can reignite their challenge provided they win at Old Trafford on March 14.
“It’s going to be difficult but we aren’t about to throw in the towel,” he said. “There are still points to be played for.
“We were disappointed to lose two points against City and it puts more pressure on us to go to Old Trafford and try and get a win, but if you want to win the title, that’s what you’ve got to do.
“We’ve been to some big grounds this season and got some good results so hopefully we can do that there too.
“We can’t worry too much about what Man United are doing. We’ve got to focus on our own matches and try and do better.”
Sunday’s draw was Liverpool’s sixth such result in 13 home league games this season.
And Carragher added: “We have drawn too many at home but we don’t know how the season will end yet and we could still go on a great run and catch Manchester United.
“We are capable of that, but if at the end of the season it hasn’t gone as well as we would have liked, it’s something we will probably look at.
“A lot of teams come to Anfield and sit deep and that’s something we’ve got to try and overcome at home. We don’t lose often here but we need to turn some of the draws into wins.”
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