Steven Gerrard's long-term fitness holds the key to what Liverpool can still achieve this season.

Manager Rafael Benitez is still privately furious that Gerrard sustained and aggravated a groin injury on England duty.

The midfielder is already out of tomorrow's Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham and has little chance of being involved in the vital Champions League game at Lyon next Wednesday.

Benitez is well aware that a poor result at Craven Cottage, followed by an almost certain exit from Europe if they lose in Lyon, will see him back in the firing line.

But the prospect of an operation for Gerrard is not being ruled out, and that would mean an even longer absence.

Benitez said: “Gerrard is improving but the next week will be crucial in terms of any decision about what we will do with him.

“I have talked to him today, he is working with the medical team and his progress is slow, but we will then have to decide what to do if he is not progressing as quickly as we would hope.

“He has had this problem for some time but when he has a lot of games for his club, as well as the national team, it is not easy to give him a rest.

“We will try to manage this differently in the future but we always have the same problem, that he wants to play in every match.

“And that applies to England as well. It is very positive, it is a fine mentality, but maybe we should be looking at the right way to handle a problem that continues to cause him trouble.

“I do not believe he will have this problem for the rest of his career but we certainly need to find a solution now.

“We have a good medical staff, I have confidence we can manage this problem.”

Fernando Torres, still not fully fit from his groin injury, will be pressed into service at Fulham and Lyon but Glen Johnson will not play tomorrow and is doubtful for Lyon.

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani has picked up a virus, Benitez joking: “It is a virus but not swine flu, we haven't got that here yet.”

Benitez added: “I do not know yet whether Steven will play in Lyon, we must work with him. But it is true there is a problem.

“We do have an issue if he is not fit for Lyon, it is a crucial time. In three days we will maybe have a better idea.”

Benitez' annoyance with England is barely below the surface when he discusses Gerrard, who has played just 25 minutes since the injury against Ukraine and will miss his third successive match tomorrow.

“Steven picked up this injury while playing for England. He lasted only until half-time of the game (in Ukraine),” Benitez said.

“He rested for two days and then had the same problem during his next training session for England.

“We rested him for one game and then he lasted just 25 minutes of the next match, against Lyon. Since then he has not been able to train or play.

“We now have to be careful. He is working with the physios and I have talked with the doctor.

“The decision is to continue with the same treatment for a few days. Then we will see.”