Steven Gerrard to have shoulder op, misses rest of Liverpool's season and 2 England friendlies

LIVERPOOL, England — Steven Gerrard will undergo surgery on his left shoulder this week, ruling him out of Liverpool's final two games of the Premier League and England's upcoming friendlies against Ireland and Brazil.

"The captain's injury has progressively worsened in recent weeks and requires an operation to cure it," Liverpool said Tuesday, adding that Gerrard should be fit for the start of preseason training.

Liverpool's Lucas left, and Steven Gerrard right, tackle Everton's Marouane Fellaini, centre, during their English Premier League soccer match at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday May 5, 2013. (AP Photo/Clint Hughes)

Liverpool's final two league games are against Fulham on Sunday and Queens Park Rangers on May 19.

England coach Roy Hodgson must find a new captain for the home friendly against Ireland on May 29 and the trip to play Brazil on June 2.

The 33-year-old Gerrard has been playing through the injury, starting in every league game this season to equal his previous longest run set April 2006 to April 2007. He has missed only 17 minutes of action — when he was substituted against Newcastle in the 6-0 win last month

Liverpool, which cannot qualify for Europe this season, will also be without its other star player, Luis Suarez, for the last two games as the striker is in the middle of a 10-match ban for biting an opponent.

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