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Gerrard might be back by September

Comment: 0 August 8th, 2011 by: admin

STEVEN Gerrard is well on the way to recovery but his fans should expect him to be out for another month.

The Liverpool captain was sidelined by a groin injury last season but Reds manager Kenny Dalglish is buoyant because the veteran playmaker is making great progress.

What curtailed Gerrard’s return was an infection that required him to be hospitalised on the course of his rehabilitation. Signs that the Anfield ace is well on the way to getting back in top shape was the fact that he was already released from the hospital.

Reds faithful had anxious moments when he was detected with the infection as concerns were raised that he could be out of action indefinitely.

But the tests yielded positive results and for this, Dalglish believes Gerrard would be up and about for the Premier League in September. In fact, the Scottish boss said he expects Gerrard to be back to their Melwood training base once he recuperates from his long-standing injury.

However, the latest blow will rule Gerrard out of Liverpool’s league fixtures against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton. His target return date is on September 10 when they visit Stoke.

He is also set to miss the Three Lion’s friendly against Holland on August 10 and Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria (away) on September 2 and Wales (home) on September 6.

The 31-year-old Gerrard, regarded as Liverpool’s finest asset, has been on the sidelines for the last six months and his return would definitely provide boost to the Reds who landed 6th last season, 20 points off champions Manchester United.

He made six appearances under Dalglish, the last of which came in the Reds 3-1 victory over the Red Devils on March 6.

Just how vital Gerrard is to the team? Records show that the Reds concede 0.2 goals per game when he is not fit or absent and their win percentage plummets.

In their run-up to the new season, the Reds conceded three goals in each of their five outings. They lost to Hull and Galatasaray but Dalglish was not worried, saying it will be a different story once he fields his full-strength lineup.

But had injuries all these years, specifically the latest, taken its toll on him? The answer should me made once Gerrard returns to the pitch to end his hiatus. Will a couple or 3 games be enough for him to shake off rustiness and get back to his peak playing form?

Dalglish and the Liverpool medical team should be patted on the back for not rushing him back. They need a 100 per cent-healthy Gerrard who can last the route in the coming rigorous campaign.

The 31-year-old Liverpool hero, who did not join the squad in their recent tour of Asia, will definitely be missed but the Reds are optimistic of a strong start.

To compensate for his absence, Dalglish is expected to lean on new signings Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson to step up in midfield. The Reds spent 40 million pounds to acquire the three in the off-season.

Gerrard was met by his pregnant wife Alex and their two daughters, Lily-Ella and Lexie, when he was discharged from the Spire Hospital.

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