Gerard Houllier has revealed that he didn't select Steven Gerrard to play against Spurs at the weekend as he didn't want to risk the midfielder's chances of making the World Cup finals.
If Gerrard had been rushed back and he suffered further pain in his groin, he could have been laid-up for six weeks and the boss felt that this would be unfair.
"It wasn't worth the risk with Steven because if he'd played we might have lost him for the rest of the season and maybe longer," said Ged.
"We were not prepared to risk him at this stage of the season. It will do the player good to get World Cup experience and there is no point in sending him there injured or with a lack of fitness."