Confirmed news: Steven Gerrard will miss Wednesday’s Champions League QF game against Juventus.
Liverpool’s official site confirmed the stories that had already been circulating about their captain.
The official statement from Anfield was, "The Liverpool captain suffered an adductor strain in the final minutes of Liverpool’s 1-nil defeat to Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday and was today ruled out of the trip to Turin by medical staff at the club’s Melwood training complex."
A Liverpool spokesperson also confirmed that Gerrard would be staying at Melwood to receive further treatment. Club doctors haven’t ruled him out for the visit of Tottenham on Saturday.
According to an article at the Medicdirect Website, it may take a little longer than this to recover. Liverpool’s medical staff know how bad Gerrard’s injury is, but it’s also possible that they are being a little optimistic.
The website says the following about adductor strains:
"The muscles that run from the pelvis to the inside of the thigh are known as the “adductors” and are active during running, twisting, side-stepping and kicking activities.
Injuries may occur during running, side-stepping, twisting or following a fall or tackle. A sharp localised pain may be accompanied by aching on the inner thigh. Bruising that appears may track down to the knee at times.
"The self-treatment principles of protection, rest and ice should be applied immediately. This will assist the resolution of pain and minimise inflammation. Following ice therapy, you should walk only when necessary and with the use of a stick or crutches.
"The hip joint should be moved as comfortable during the first days. Whilst sitting on a chair gently move the painful leg out to the side by rolling over on the outside of your foot. You may need to assist it back to the starting position with your hand. Repeat this four times and repeated every few hours for the first three or four days. As the pain decreases and becomes intermittent, you should begin to move until you experience a gentle stretch that should be held for a second, then repeated four times.
"Within three weeks you should have regained nearly full movement. If not, a firm stretch should be used to regain normal extensibility of the developing scar tissue. Standing with your feet well apart, keep your injured leg straight and move sideways (away from the painful side) until you feel a firm stretch. Hold for ten seconds and repeat the stretch four times.
"If your sport requires running, kicking or side-stepping a gradual build-up to these activities is essential over three weeks to restore strength, fitness and co-ordination. It is essential to warm up and stretch adequately prior to sport to minimise the risk of further injury."