GERRARD 'SICK' OVER SUSPENSION

Steven Gerrard has revealed his disappointment at missing the first game of the Premiership season through suspension.

Liverpool will be without the inspirational midfielder for the revenge mission against Chelsea on August 17th due to a sending off in the previous meeting between the two sides.

A frustrated Gerrard was dismissed in the final minutes of the 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge for a lunge on Graeme Le Saux as the realisation that the Reds were set to miss out on Champions League football began to sink in.

Speaking out in the Far East where he came on as a half-time substitute in yesterday's game against Thailand, he says: "I have to admit I'm sick I won't be playing in the first game of the season.

"I think I let a bit of frustration at our not reaching the Champions League get the better of me when I was sent off in the last game. I was so disappointed and I think it showed.

"But I've got to get with it now and think about the next game," said Gerrard.