Steven Gerrard Injury: Updates on Liverpool Star's Hamstring and Return

Steven Gerrard appears to have won his battle to be fit for Liverpool's Capital One Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea. 

Continue for updates.

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Gerrard Cleared to Face Chelsea

Tuesday, Jan. 20

The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce reports that Gerrard will be fit for Tuesday's Anfield encounter:

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Steven Gerrard has been passed fit for Liverpool’s Capital One Cup semi-final first leg with Chelsea at Anfield tonight.

The Reds skipper missed Saturday’s Premier League victory over Aston Villa due to a minor hamstring injury picked up against Sunderland a week earlier.

However, Gerrard has been given the green light to return to action and he is expected to start against Jose Mourinho’s side.

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Gerrard Out vs. Aston Villa

Saturday, Jan. 17

Liverpool's official Twitter feed reported that Gerrard is out for Saturday's match:

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Gerrard Trains Ahead of Villa and Chelsea

Thursday, Jan. 15

Gerrard may be set to deliver a big boost to Brendan Rodgers after he was seen in training 48 hours before their trip to Aston Villa:

According to Dominic King of the Mail Online on Wednesday, Gerrard faced the prospect of missing next week's Capital One Cup semi-final first leg with Chelsea:

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Liverpool are anxiously monitoring Steven Gerrard’s fitness amid fears that he could miss the Capital One Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea.

[...] He has subsequently received treatment at Liverpool’s Melwood training base but his involvement in the weekend trip to Aston Villa is in doubt.

[...] No firm decisions will be made until later in the week and, until then, Gerrard will continue to work closely with Liverpool’s medical staff to maximise his chances of being involved in the match with Chelsea.

"

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Gerrard Hit by Hamstring Issue

Saturday, Jan. 10

Liverpool received some very bad news on Saturday, as Simon Bird of the Daily Mirror reports captain and team leader Steven Gerrard suffered a hamstring issue against Sunderland:

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Rodgers: Gerrard had a tight hamstring so was subbed at half time. Sterling on holiday to rest and rejoins next week. #lfc

— Simon Bird (@SimonBird_) January 10, 2015"

The Reds' legend and longtime midfield conductor is one of Brendan Rodgers' most reliable players, having remained relatively injury-free in the last few years despite his age. According to Physioroom.com, he hardly missed any time in 2013-14, made all the more remarkable he had the reputation of being "injury prone" early in his career.

Gerrard is one of Liverpool's most influential players in midfield, both for his still-crisp passing and the leadership he adds to a young and inexperienced squad. While he no longer plays at the level he did during the team's Champions League-winning years, he's still a vital asset for the Reds.

Liverpool don't have tremendous depth behind the trio of Gerrard, Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen, and there's no player on the squad who can replicate Gerrard's unique set of skills.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Gerrard is the engine that makes Liverpool go, and Rodgers has to hope the veteran won't miss an extended period of time with the hamstring problem.

Still without a single Premier League title on his resume, the Reds will need their captain and emotional leader back on the pitch as soon as possible to continue their assault on the 2014-15 Premier League standings.