Liverpool have confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard will miss the start of the season and will not be available for selection until September, providing his recovery goes to plan.
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Gerrard had been undergoing rehabilitation from groin surgery that ended his season in mid-March but manager Kenny Dalglish had expected him to be back for the start of the new campaign.
However, a statement issued by the club read: ''Steven Gerrard today began a course of antibiotic treatment for an infection related to an ongoing groin problem. He is expected to remain in hospital for several days while the precautionary procedure is completed.
''The player will then return to Melwood to continue his rehabilitation programme and is expected to be available for selection in September.''
The club statement continued: ''He is expected to remain in hospital for several days while the precautionary procedure is completed.
''The player will then return to Melwood to continue his rehabilitation programme and is expected to be available for selection in September.''
The England midfielder, who sat out the club's brief tour of the Far East this summer, will therefore miss Liverpool's Premier League fixtures against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton, with the trip to Stoke on September 10 a likely target for his return.
Gerrard was already set to miss the international friendly with Holland on August 10 but will now also be a doubt for England's Euro 2012 qualifiers away to Bulgaria on September 2 and home to Wales four days later.
Liverpool's disappointment over Gerrard will be partially offset by the news Jose Reina is ready to return after hernia surgery.
The goalkeeper has not featured during pre-season after an operation but is set to face Valerenga on Monday with the season opener against Sunderland a fortnight away.
