Mon Sep 8 13:25:22 2008

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Liverpool's Gerrard out of United clash

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Liverpool, England (Sports Network) - Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has ruled himself out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.

Gerrard is currently recovering from groin surgery which forced him to pull out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez hoped to have his talismanic skipper available for the visit of the champions to Anfield, but Gerrard claims he has no chance of making the Saturday lunchtime kickoff.

Spain striker Fernando Torres is also a major doubt after picking up a hamstring injury in the goal less draw with Aston Villa before the international break.

"The United game is too soon," Gerrard told the Liverpool Daily Post.

"I have a decent chance for the Champions League game in Marseille (September 16), but I've spoken to the manager and told him I'd like to do a certain amount of training before I come back.

"I don't want to go into a big game only having had one session with the boys."

(Courtesy of sportbox.tv)