Liverpool look set to be without Steven Gerrard for up to three weeks after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury, according to Andy Hunter of The Guardian.
Gerrard came off with 22 minutes to go of Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday night — his third game in a week.
Hunter explains that Gerrard is still to have a scan on his hamstring, but “expects to be sidelined for two to three weeks”.
With a flurry of fixtures on the horizon, Gerrard looks set to miss at least this Saturday’s FA Cup fifth round clash at Crystal Palace, both legs of Liverpool’s Europa League tie against Besiktas, scheduled either side of an away trip to Southampton in the league on 22 February.
Hunter believes that German Under-21 international Emre Can may be called upon to step into Gerard’s midfield role during the skipper’s absence, based on Brendan Rodgers’ decisions on Tuesday night:
The manager responded to the captain’s withdrawal against Spurs by introducing Dejan Lovren into Liverpool’s defence and pushing the commanding Emre Can into midfield. The Germany under-21 international could be set for an extended run in central midfield with Lovren and Glen Johnson vying for a return to the back three.
Liverpool also have Lucas Leiva sidelined for over a month with a thigh injury, whilst Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho have also suffered injuries and fitness issues in recent days.
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