Liverpool's Gerrard faces fitness battle

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Liverpool could be without midfield dynamo Steven Gerrard for their August 13 Champions League qualifier against Belgium's Standard Liege as he battles a thigh strain, the club said Wednesday.

The England star had to go off during the 4-1 win over Norwegian side Valerenga and coach Rafa Benitez said it was touch and go whether he would recover in time.

"It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week," Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv as he ponders his selection for the tie with a place in the group stages a financial must.

Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, David Ngog and Yossi Benayoun were on target in another four-goal show after a weekend destruction of Rangers at Ibrox.

"The players aren't 100 percent yet,"...