Liverpool, England (SportsNetwork.com) - Liverpool and England national team captain Steven Gerrard will miss up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury last Saturday.
The setback occurred in the 56th minute of Liverpool's 4-1 win over West Ham United while taking a shot on goal. The shot was blocked and Gerrard immediately signaled to manager Brendan Rodgers to be taken off the pitch.
Gerrard has scored three goals in 17 appearances for the Reds this season, but he will miss some key fixtures over the holiday period as the club will face Tottenham on Sunday before traveling to Manchester City and Chelsea on Dec. 26 and 29, respectively.
The Merseyside club is already without striker Daniel Sturridge, who suffered an ankle injury in training last month, as well as defender Jose Enrique to knee surgery.
Rodgers has backed Joe Allen and Lucas Leiva to fill Gerrard's void in midfield.
"Steven is such an important player for us, but we have other players and dynamics in the team and they have to step up," Rodgers said. "Lucas has been excellent for us and he has forced his way into the Brazil side, so he has that quality and experience to step up and take the responsibility. Joe looks like he did when he first came here with his movement, his body work and fluency on the ball and that's what we need right now."
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