Steven Gerrard is the latest big name player to be in doubt for the start of the season after sustaining a thigh injury in in tonight’s 4-1 win over Valerenga in Oslo. Gerrard pulled up after 24 minutes and was immediately substituted by Rafa Bentitez.

According to Rafa, the early prognosis is that the Liverpool skipper will be out of action for around a week which will see him fit for the Premiership opener but a big doubt for Liverpool’s Champions League Qualifier against Liege next week.

“It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week,” Benitiez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

I’ll keep you posted with the latest news on this one. While it seems likely at this stage that Gerrard will be available for the trip to Sunderland, it could well be that we face a nervous few days if Gerrard fails to take the field against Liege next week. With Lampard a very good alternative, it will be interesting to see if many fantasy managers turn their attentions turn his way over the next week or so.

The absence of Gerrard would be a massive blow to Liverpool with Mascherano, Lucas and Babel all at the Olympics and the future of Alonso still in doubt. The completion of the Gareth Barry deal will now be a major priority before the August 31st transfer window date.