By Staff Writer

Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard will have an operation on his groin today, having played through the pain barrier in Liverpool's last gasp 1-0 win over Belgian Champions R. Standard de Liège at Anfield last night, with Dirk Kuyt's hard work paying off in the dying minutes of extra time.

Gerrard's recovery will take up to 2 weeks meaning that the midfielder will likely miss England's cruicial away World Cup Qualifier agaist Croatia on 10th September.

The match is a must win for England in terms of qualification for the World Cup in 2010 and if absent Gerrard would be a huge loss. The game also provides the England team with a chance to avenge the Euro 2008 qualifier defeat at Wembley that cost England a place in the finals and Steve McClaren his job as manager, .