Gerrard to miss Arsenal match

Liverpool are set to be without injured captain Steven Gerrard for Tuesday’s Premier League match at home to Arsenal.

The England midfielder is expected to be ruled out for a further seven to 10 days with the groin problem that has forced him to miss Liverpool’s last two matches.

A draw for Liverpool at Anfield would see them go top of the table although champions Manchester United would regain first place if they defeated Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Arsenal will be without their top scorer Robin van Persie (groin) and fellow striker Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring).

However, full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature at Anfield, along with fit-again Croatia forward Eduardo.

Lukasz Fabianski, who had a shaky match during Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea, is set to continue to deputise for the injured Manuel Almunia (ankle) while defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all out of action.

Arsenal are fourth in the table and seemingly assured of qualification for next season’s Champions League now that they are seven points ahead of Aston Villa.

Gunners manager Arsene Wenger may be tempted to rest key players ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final with United.

Sir Alex Ferguson, who himself fielded what was all but a reserve side during United’s FA Cup semi-final loss to Everton last weekend, was banking on his French rival’s competitiveness.

“I don’t know what Arsene will be thinking about tomorrow but no matter what, Arsenal always try,” United manager Ferguson said Monday.

“That is the mantra of Arsene himself. He is a winner.

“Providing they try, it is all I can ask for.”