Steven Gerrard will play for Liverpool against Chelsea on Sunday despite a scan revealing today that he has a hairline fracture of the toe.

But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists Gerrard will then need to rest and will not figure in England's friendly against Germany at Wembley next Wednesday.

Gerrard picked up the injury in Toulouse yesterday when Liverpool won their Champions League third qualifying round first leg tie 1-0.

Benitez is prepared to push his player to the limit to face Chelsea but said: "He will then need one or two weeks' rest.

"He will train but he will not be able to join up with England. I will talk to Steve McClaren and I am sure he will understand.

"We have been told by our doctors that this is not a big risk but he will clearly then need to rest after the Chelsea match."