Liverpool is on schedule to kick off with Crystal Palace in the FA Cup this weekend. But the odds for the Reds took a bit of a beating following the team’s home game against Tottenham in the Premier League yesterday.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard limped off the pitch with a hamstring injury near the end of the game with the Spurs. Club boss Brendan Rodgers says Gerrard is doubtful to play in Saturday’s game with Crystal Palace, but is betting his soon to be departing leader will be back in time for the team’s first venture in the Europa League this season.
“Unfortunately, he felt his hamstring towards the end of the game and he is having a scan. Hopefully the scans won’t show too much.”
If Gerrard’s injury is long term, football fans may need to reconsider backing the Reds through the rest of February. Liverpool’s other principle midfielder, Lucas Leiva went out with a thigh injury during the team’s venture to Everton for the Merseyside derby.
With Gerrard and Leiva on the sidelines, Liverpool is weak on midfield just as the team enters a busy run on their schedule. Between the Cup fixture on Saturday and Wednesday March 4th, the Reds play 6 important games. Included in that bracket of games is Liverpool’s Europa series with Besiktas, plus two big Premier League games against Southampton and Manchester City.
Without a strong presence at midfield, the Reds may be vulnerable over the next 3 weeks. Vulnerability is not a quality the team can afford for long, particularly with the Europa League about to get back underway.
If the good fortune of football is smiling on Liverpool, Gerrard’s injury will be a short one that will allow the skipper to return to the pitch after the FA Cup this weekend. But if fortune is fading, the Reds are in for a long run without their captain.