Gerrard Out For Three Weeks

Liverpool's talismanic captain has been ruled out for at least three weeks with a hamstring tear that forceds him out of the FA cuo defeat to Everton after 16 minutes. The injury comes at a critical stage of the season for Benitez and his men having lost top slot in the Premier League to rivals Manchester united.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are two points clear with a game in hand over the Anfield side and without their captain Liverpool's season could hang in the balance. The two sides face each other at Old Trafford on the 14th March in a match that may have a significant bearing on which way the title will be heading.

Before that though, Liverpool face difficult games against Portsmouth, Man City, Middlesborough and Sunderland and with their inspirational and reliable captain unavailable for the first two encounters will need to rely on other members of their squad to stand up and be counted. It is acknowledged that Gerrard has been the driving force behind Liverpool's success in recent years and until the emergence of Torres last season was the only player who could be counted on to come up with the goods. Now Benitez will hope there are others he can rely on other than the enigmatic Spanish Striker.

In between the league games Liverpool must also face Real Madrid in the Champions League on 25 February. Even if Gerrard recovers in time and is available, Benitez may feel playing him would be too bigger risk and will want to avoid a repeat of the Torres saga. If Liverpool are still challenging for the title, the most important game is the trip to Old Trafford and the Reds must have their captain fit and ready to face United.

Keane’s return to London at an £8m loss was met with much dismay and criticism from the Anfield faithful and with Gerrard out for at least three weeks with a torn hamstring, the side looks worryingly depleted. Following his capture in the summer, the Irishman was seen as the perfect partner for Torres and a player who could be relied upon to grab importnat goals. Though his six month tenure wasn't as successful as might have been hoped, his departure could prove to be a mistake in light of Gerrards's injury. If Liverpool are to achieve success this season the next month is critical and other key players in the squad must stand up and be counted. Gerrard and Torres have 16 league goals between them, the rest of the squad have 15 goals amongst them.

With the talent at his disposal, Benitez will expect to collect maximum points. Failure to do  so would most likely hand the title to United even before the two teams square up at Old Trafford in March. This coming month then will be proof of how good a team Liverpool really are and which players are worthy of a place.