Let’s start the day on a positive note. A report in the Telegraph this morning indicates that Liverpool are optimistic that Steven Gerrard will be fit to lead the team against Sunderland this weekend.

Gerrard pulled out of the England squad for last night’s game after suffering further abductor muscle problems in training on Tuesday. There’s little detail to back up the claims, so by all means suck this down with a pinch of salt. Even so, Gerrard has returned back to the club, albeit belatedly, so has had scans and has been assessed by their medical staff yesterday. Even so, there are conflicting reports which offer a less positive view on Gerrard’s situation. Out of interest, the Liverpool skipper has been sold by over 24,000 managers in the Fantasy Premier League game in this gameweek.

In other injury news from Anfield, Fernando Torres was on the bench for Spain for their 5-2 win in Bosnia last night. Torres didn’t feature, although Spainish medical staff have reported that the striker is still suffering pain “when he moves sometimes, mostly when he kicks the ball with his right foot,”. Mmm…that might be a problem then.

Elsewhere, Rafa’s options at the back have been cut by a serious injury to Sotirios Kyrgiakos in Greece’s international with Luxembourg. The centre back suffered a ruptured anterior cruiciate ligament last night and early reports suggest he’ll be out for around four months. That cuts competition for the place alongside Carragher, with Agger and Skrtel in the running.