LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard faces a race against time to be fit for his side's Premier League opener at Tottenham on Sunday.
Gerrard was forced out of the England squad ahead of Wednesday's friendly in Holland after suffering a groin injury and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirmed on Thursday that the midfielder may not make the White Hart Lane clash.
"I am not sure about Steven. I was really pleased he was pulled out of the squad as a precaution," Benitez told Liverpool's website.
"You could see there were six substitutions in the game, so Fabio Capello was doing great for the players.
"As our game is on the Sunday, then maybe Steven will have a chance. If it was on Saturday it would be more difficult."
While Gerrard is a dobut, Benitez expects defenders Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel to recover from injuries in time to feature.
"Skrtel trained on Wednesday and hopefully he'll be fit," Benitez added. "Carragher has been working with the physios and we think he'll be available. Daniel Agger is also working with the physios but it will be more difficult for him."