Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

Source: Barclays Premiership

Steven Gerrard has confirmed he expects to be back in Liverpool's first team for their Barclays Premiership game against Middlesbrough on November 20.
The Anfield captain visited a specialist and was told that he can step up his training in early November and start running again.

Gerrard has not played since he broke a metatarsal in his foot on September 20 at Manchester United.

But he has the Barclays Premiership match at the Riverside Stadium on November 20 for his return.

But the England midfielder says he could be fit for the previous week's home match with Crystal Palace.

Those goals mean he will definitely be available for the final European group matches away to Monaco on November 23 and at home to Olympiacos on December 8.

Gerrard said: "I had a meeting with the specialist and everything was really positive. I have been given the go-ahead to start running again and all going well I could be back training with the lads in two weeks.

"It was music to my ears and I am delighted with the news. It has been difficult but the physios here at the club and the doctor have been brilliant. I am happy with the way things are going and I can definitely now see light at the end of the tunnel."

He added: "If I really pushed it I could probably be back for the Palace game on November 13, but I think a more realistic target would be Middlesbrough away the week after.

"I do not want to rush things unnecessarily and I will probably play in a practice game beforehand. If there are no complications along the way I should definitely be involved in the trip to Boro."

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I'm eager to see Gerrard play once again. I like the fact that the lad is making progress as far as recovering from his injury goes. I'd love to see Gerrard return when we play Crystal Palace at Anfield. Nunez is also expected to return around the same time as Gerrard, plenty too look forward to.

We've shown that we are not build around Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, as some expected for us to end up in the bottom of the table after Gerrard picked up his injury. We've done the opposite, we are improving in every game, the confidence of our players has sky-rocketed on the pitch in our recent games.

[Starbridge42]

I cant wait for gerrard and alonso to get a good run together in the midfield.  That will be so cool

[Ciggy]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet. and is he gona take harrys place? no one seems to know much about him
also garcia an alonso have asked benitez to sign morientes but will we have the funds to do so?

[A.B.]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet

Let me put it to you this way, do  you want Nunez to start against Palace/Boro or Diao?

[Leonmc0708]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet

Let me put it to you this way, do  you want Nunez to start against Palace/Boro or Diao?

He is not in the running though AB, ita like asking do you want us to play Nunez or Kirklan right midfield.

Also Cisse, he is a right winger I think, so he will play in tandem with Harry.

[A.B.]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet

Let me put it to you this way, do  you want Nunez to start against Palace/Boro or Diao?

He is not in the running though AB, ita like asking do you want us to play Nunez or Kirklan right midfield.

Also Cisse, he is a right winger I think, so he will play in tandem with Harry.

Its safe to give him his first start against Crystal Palace perhaps. We can't see what's he made of unless we play him against in a Premiership fixture.

[Scottbot]

Hamman is playing so well at the mo that the gaffer may even ask Stevie to play a couple of games at righ mid as in the Bolton game earlier this year.

[Ciggy]

Nunez will play 2 or 3 reserve games first before we see him in the side.

[Leonmc0708]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet

Let me put it to you this way, do  you want Nunez to start against Palace/Boro or Diao?

He is not in the running though AB, ita like asking do you want us to play Nunez or Kirklan right midfield.

Also Cisse, he is a right winger I think, so he will play in tandem with Harry.

Its safe to give him his first start against Crystal Palace perhaps. We can't see what's he made of unless we play him against in a Premiership fixture.

He has had enough chances lad....

[A.B.]

Its gona be to risky putting nunez out at first as hes not used to the team or the prem yet

Let me put it to you this way, do  you want Nunez to start against Palace/Boro or Diao?

He is not in the running though AB, ita like asking do you want us to play Nunez or Kirklan right midfield.

Also Cisse, he is a right winger I think, so he will play in tandem with Harry.

Its safe to give him his first start against Crystal Palace perhaps. We can't see what's he made of unless we play him against in a Premiership fixture.

He has had enough chances lad....

..?

[fivecups]

Can't see the rush to start with a player whose just returned from a lengthy break through injury, whose never played for the club or in the Premiership, and who noone had ever heard of before he was included in the Michael Owen deal.

Give him time, play him in the reserves until he gets close to match fitness and then see how he's doing.

I agree that we don't have a natural right midfielder at present, Steve Finnan is clearly a natural right back, but my preference has always been for SWP rather than an unknown. Lets hope Nunez settles as quickly as the rest of our Spanish players.

[A.B.]

Can't see the rush to start with a player whose just returned from a lengthy break through injury, whose never played for the club or in the Premiership, and who noone had ever heard of before he was included in the Michael Owen deal.

Give him time, play him in the reserves until he gets close to match fitness and then see how he's doing.

I agree that we don't have a natural right midfielder at present, Steve Finnan is clearly a natural right back, but my preference has always been for SWP rather than an unknown. Lets hope Nunez settles as quickly as the rest of our Spanish players.

We did not play Josemi,Garcia and Alonso in the reserves yet they've did well in their first few games.

Its up to Rafa whether he wants to start Nunez in the Premiership when he returns or not. I would play Nunez for 45 minutes to see how he would do. Hopefuly he will not be like Kirkland and Smicer who have a knack of picking up an injury all the time.

[fivecups]

Can't see the rush to start with a player whose just returned from a lengthy break through injury, whose never played for the club or in the Premiership, and who noone had ever heard of before he was included in the Michael Owen deal.

Give him time, play him in the reserves until he gets close to match fitness and then see how he's doing.

I agree that we don't have a natural right midfielder at present, Steve Finnan is clearly a natural right back, but my preference has always been for SWP rather than an unknown. Lets hope Nunez settles as quickly as the rest of our Spanish players.

We did not play Josemi,Garcia and Alonso in the reserves yet they've did well in their first few games.

Its up to Rafa whether he wants to start Nunez in the Premiership when he returns or not. I would play Nunez for 45 minutes to see how he would do. Hopefuly he will not be like Kirkland and Smicer who have a knack of picking up an injury all the time.

No, but they were fully fit. We were also starting a new season with 4-5 new first team players. We've been on a nice run of late and I think that a new player should have to earn their place.

[Ciggy]

Can't see the rush to start with a player whose just returned from a lengthy break through injury, whose never played for the club or in the Premiership, and who noone had ever heard of before he was included in the Michael Owen deal.

Give him time, play him in the reserves until he gets close to match fitness and then see how he's doing.

I agree that we don't have a natural right midfielder at present, Steve Finnan is clearly a natural right back, but my preference has always been for SWP rather than an unknown. Lets hope Nunez settles as quickly as the rest of our Spanish players.

We did not play Josemi,Garcia and Alonso in the reserves yet they've did well in their first few games.

Its up to Rafa whether he wants to start Nunez in the Premiership when he returns or not. I would play Nunez for 45 minutes to see how he would do. Hopefuly he will not be like Kirkland and Smicer who have a knack of picking up an injury all the time.

No, but they were fully fit. We were also starting a new season with 4-5 new first team players. We've been on a nice run of late and I think that a new player should have to earn their place.

exactly