Injury left Gerrard feeling low

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted his injury problem this year left him at the lowest ebb of his career.

Gerrard made his first start in seven months with a goalscoring return during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United having undergone surgery on his troublesome groin in March. The 31-year-old had initially been expected to be back for the start of the current campaign but he suffered a setback in July when he was admitted to hospital with an infection related to the groin injury.

Speaking about the injury, Gerrard told several national newspapers: "When I got the injury I knew it was going to be a serious one, something I wasn't used to. I had to try to be positive but I will admit that I was down."

He added: "There were times when I was as low as I've ever been as a footballer.

"I think it's only natural that you have doubts and different things do cross your mind from time to time."

The England midfielder added: "Before the operation I'd been getting niggles and having injections to play. Basically, I knew that wasn't right.

"I was missing training sessions and coming in the day before a game trying to get that last session in or having injections to play the next day.

"You can only do that for a certain amount of time before your body gives in - and mine gave in.

"My groin packed in on me and when it happened I was down and I was low.

"When it happened it took time before I got back into a positive frame of mind. Without doubt the last six months have been the hardest of my career."