Litmanen's injury blow to trophy tilt

Liverpool are counting the cost of England's World Cup win at Anfield with the loss of Jari Litmanen for up to six weeks.

As revealed in Sportsmail yesterday, the Finland captain broke a wrist in Saturday's clash and is out of this weekend's Premiership visit of Manchester United.

The striker will also miss the first leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final in Barcelona on April 5 and the FA Cup semi-final with Wycombe Wanderers three days later. Liverpool assistant boss Phil Thompson said: 'It's a massive blow because we need all our players for the important games coming up. We think he'll be out for six weeks.'

However, club insiders are not ruling him out completely for the home leg of their clash against his former club on April 19.

Litmanen, 30, signed for Liverpool on a free transfer in January after a troubled spell at Barcelona. A calf injury had already cost him his place in the Worthington Cup Final triumph over Birmingham.

Liverpool are also waiting on England midfielder Steven Gerrard, who misses tomorrow's game in Albania. The 20-year-old, beset by back and groin problems, said: 'I felt very stiff and exhausted after the game with Finland. If I thought I had a chance for Albania I would travel, but I've got to be fair to my club as well, because we've got so many important games left.'