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Ankle problems threaten another Gerrard lay-off

Comment: 0 October 31st, 2011 by: admin

An ankle infection could sideline Steven Gerrard for a month, again stripping Liverpool of its captain.

With only 4 appearances after an over six-month recuperation period, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard might again be forced off for a lengthy spell due to an infected ankle.

Reports describe the Reds skipper emerging from a hospital on crutches after having fluid drained from his right ankle.

The trouble was said to have emerged from a mere cut on the ankle during training the past week.  The injury seemed unthreatening at first; however signs of an infection began to show as Gerrard traveled to The Hawthorns with the team to face West Brom.

When asked, Reds manager Kenny Dalglish described the injury as being a brand new one, and not connected with previous ones.

The joint’s condition forced the skipper to make the journey back to Merseyside, missing the match.

It is believed that at its current state, the injury will force Gerrard to miss England’s upcoming matches against Spain and Sweden.

‘Will he be fit for England v Spain?  I haven’t got a clue,’ said Dalglish.

Liverpool are set to receive word on the injury’s condition 24 hours after Gerrard’s examination. At the moment, fears are centred around a possible one-month lay-off for the talisman.

For the 31-year old Anfield stalwart, a period of that length would see him inactive for the entirety of November, which includes Premier League matches against bigwigs such as Chelsea and Manchester City.

In Gerrard’s absence during their match with West Brom last weekend, star striker Luis Suarez stepped up with two assists that created both goals in the 0-2 Reds victory.

The first goal came as a penalty shot finished by Charlie Adam 9 minutes into the match.  The second was a setup for an Andy Carroll during one minute into extra time.

Dalglish lauded the emergence of Suarez and Carroll’s partnership, which Gerrard himself has earlier described as producing the most feared team-up in the Premier League.

‘I think the two of them have a fantastic partnership,’ said Dalglish.  ‘The longer they play together, the better for them.’

The manager continued, describing the game to have showcased Carroll’s best performance yet.

‘It was big Andy’s best game for us, technically and otherwise,’ Dalglish said.  ‘Andy was always a five-year investment and I don’t see any reason to change my mind on that.’

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