Steven Gerrard and Jonjo Shelvey Injury Update

When Fernando Torres clattered him in the Liverpool penalty area in the second half on Sunday, Liverpool fans held their collective breath fearing Steven Gerrard had picked up a serious knee injury. After a lengthy injury break, though, Gerrard managed to rejoin the action, and according to Brendan Rodgers he's expected to be alright—though the full extent of any damage isn't yet known.

"I think Steven will be alright," said the Liverpool manager. "He has just opened up his medial ligament a bit. He has got some ice on his knee and we'll find out the full extent later on."

Given Gerrard continued to play following his injury—not to mention his at times spotty injury record—Liverpool fans will be understandably concerned about the captain's status until confirmation comes in. Add in that Gerrard is still in Roy Hodgson's plans for Wednesday's mid-week England friendly despite a number of late squad changes to account for injuries over the weekend and many will spend the coming week fearing the worst no matter what.

While Gerrard's role with England one way or the other on Wednesday isn't yet known for certain, one of the players who has been removed from the squad is Jonjo Shelvey, who according to Brendan Rodgers was in contention to play against Chelsea right up until the match kicked off.

"We wanted to give him an opportunity right up until the end," said Rodgers following the match. "He was in some shooting exercises in training the other day and just felt his thigh a little bit. We didn't want to risk it in case he pulled his thigh and was injured for a lot longer."

Shelvey had been included in an experimental England side set to face Sweden on Wednesday alongside Raheem Sterling and the likes of Arsenal youngster Carl Jenkinson and Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha, but in the end he was ruled out late on Sunday.

As for Gerrard, though he hasn't officially been ruled out yet, one would hope that with World Cup qualification not on the line there will be a chance for common sense to prevail and for him to be given the week off so that Rodgers' "opened up his medial ligament a bit" isn't given the chance to turn into "opened up his medial ligament a lot."

Pepe Reina, meanwhile, remains on track to make his return to action on Saturday when rumoured Liverpool managerial candidate Roberto Martinez and Wigan visit Anfield.