Liverpool FC Injury Update: Steven Gerrard Ruled Out for Remainder of Season

Another week has seen the Reds continue to be decimated by injuries to key players.

In just a little over a month, the Reds have lost nearly half of their best starting 11 to injury.

This morning reports were made through Liverpool's official website, Liverpoolfc.tv, that team Captain Steven Gerrard, whom was expected to be back in the next week or so, has re-injured his groin in practice this morning and will be out for the rest of the season.

This comes at the worst time for the Reds. With so many already out and with the past game at West Brom seeing both Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson sidelined for the rest of the season as well.

This has made any hopes of winning out the last seven games an even more herculean task than was thought.

It was already set to be an uphill battle for the Reds to have any chance of clipping the fifth place spot out from under Tottenham Hotspur as they continue to sputter both in Europe and domestically. The loss to West Brom meant the Reds failed to make up two points in their desperate battle to achieve European Football next season.

Now with their second confirmed season ending injury in a week, the other being Daniel Agger, it will be up to Kenny Dalglish to inspire his charges to victory.

In his pre-match press conference aired on Liverpoolfc.tv, Dalglish continued to show that the team will not lose belief in going forward despite the latest injury troubles.

When asked about how big of a blow the loss of Gerrard was for the season he replied:

"It’s a blow to have anybody out. It's more disappointing to the players than us obviously but we just have to go on with it."

However, he continued to show that he will not give up on his belief that their is still enough quality in his squad as he stated additionally that:

"With no disrespect to the players that are injured, but the players that are fit are the most important to the club, because they are the ones that can be chosen."

And with a bit of tongue and cheek that has been his trademark with the press, he made a final comment on the matter before taking an additional question:

"I mean at this particular moment in time, I’m as good a player as Steven."

The brief light moment in truth though will be overshadowed by the injury crisis that is taking over the club. Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger are done for the year. If we lose to Manchester City then I suspect Glen Johnson will get the rest of the year off to heal as well.

Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly are nearing returns to training but are still nursing injuries, and young Jonjo Shelvey still has a niggling injury hampering him from time to time.

But even with so many missing there is still hope. Though the back line will be mixed and matched more than ever, it may provide the chance for some exciting football to be played by Liverpool Football Club.

A weakened defense can truly only mean one thing at this point, the Reds will have to attack to prevent attack. The old adage that the best defense is a better attack is going to be put to the test.

Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Dirk Kuyt and Raul Meireles with have to take it to the opposition like they haven’t ever before because with Man City and Arsenal the next two, the Reds will have to be on their top form to have a chance.

Jaime Carragher and Pepe Reina have their work cut out for them, but I believe the two veterans will be able to muster up a little more than people give them credit for.

A back line that will most likely be Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Danny Wilson will be tested much more thoroughly than they were against West Brom.

One can only hope Kyrgiakos can stay on his feet and Danny Wilson can produce another performance that gets the job done, as he did when brought on last weekend for Glen Johnson.

Monday will be an interesting Anfield clash, and the Reds season and hopes hang more in the balance than at any other time this campaign.