Post by LFCLuke on Oct 17, 2006 19:22:43 GMT -1
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has opted not to risk Steven Gerrard for Wednesday's Champions League clash at Bordeaux.
The Reds skipper was left behind on Merseyside for more treatment on a hamstring injury, with Sunday's crunch away encounter at Manchester United very much in Benitez's mind.
The Premiership giants will have three more chances after this confrontation with Bordeaux to clinch qualification from Group C, but if they lose at Old Trafford next weekend, their title hopes are as good as over.
Which is why Benitez has left Gerrard out of his squad as the Spaniard would rather have his inspirational midfielder fit for the United game instead of risking him against the French outfit.
Benitez looked glum when he revealed his captain's absence, saying: "We do not want to take risks.
"If it was the last game of the season and I asked could Stevie play now, then yes, he could. But not at this stage.
"He can change games so it is difficult when we lose him, but we do have a squad I believe that is capable of handling the situation.
"Stevie is influential, and last season he scored a lot of goals. That has not happened yet but maybe we will now see him scoring, starting on Sunday."
The Anfield outfit will hope they have spotted the problem early and can minimise the potential damage to their campaign.
Benitez said: "Maybe Steve will be out for two or three days, I hope no more.
"He has had treatment since he damaged his hamstring against Blackburn but it is too much of a risk to use him now, with the amount of big games we have coming up.
"He came off after the Blackburn game saying he felt some pain in the back of his leg, we dare not take any chances with him."
From ITV Sport page, but is that a good idea or bad?