Liverpool are set to be without their hollywood-bound skipper Steven Gerrard for up to three weeks after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury, as reported by Andy Hunter of The Guardian.
Gerrard was replaced with 22 minutes to go in Liverpool’s 3-2 victory over Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday night, after complaining of a tight hamstring.
The 34-year-old will have a scan on the injury but is expected to miss few crucial games for the Reds.
He is certain to Liverpool’s FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace, and a third week out would mean he will miss both legs of European tie with Besiktas and the crucial away trip to Southampton in the Premier League.
Gerrard’s absence is a setback for manager Brendan Rodgers, as Liverpool are already missing out Lucas Leiva for between four to six weeks.
But this could actually help Liverpool and set a template for future Liverpool’s midfield set up with Emre Can likely to be introduced in the midfield role.
Against Spurs, Rodgers took a bold decision by using Can in the midfield, instead of bringing in Joe Allen, and the impact was evident.
The commanding presence of the young German midfielder helped Liverpool mount barrage of constructive attacks resulting in the winner against the North Londoners.
Can, 21, being versatile, has adopted to the role of a centre-back nicely, but Rodgers envisage him as an important midfield player.
In that case, Rodgers might use Dejan Lovren or Glen Johnson in the centre-back role allowing Can to move further forward to partner with Henderson or Allen.
Should this experiment turns out to be successful, Liverpool will set up a strong platform – not for the coming games, not for this season either, but for the future.
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