“Twenty years ago, it would have been obvious what Steven Gerrard was. He has boundless energy, a ferocious shot and an extraordinary capacity for bending games to his will. Think of his goals against Germany in the 2001 World Cup qualifier in Munich, against Olympiakos in the 2005 Champions league quarterfinal and against West Ham United in the 2006 FA Cup final. On each occasion, as the ball dropped to him, there was a magnificent inevitability about the ball flashing from his boot into the net. There was something of the comic book about him, a hero who always did what was needed just when it was needed.” (SI)

“Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt will be sidelined for four weeks after injuring his shoulder while on international duty with the Netherlands. The 30-year-old suffered the injury while training for Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Finland and returned to Liverpool for tests.” (BBC)