Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is expected to be sidelined for three weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat at Everton.

The England midfielder was substituted 16 minutes into a match that also saw Fernando Torres limp off.

"A scan today has confirmed a tear in the hamstring of Steven's left leg. He will be out of action for about three weeks," a spokesman said on the club's website.

Gerrard, who is on bail after being charged with a nightclub assault, underwent a scan the day after the match which revealed the extent of the injury.

He will miss the Portsmouth game at the weekend, England's friendly with Spain the following week, the Premier League clash with Manchester City on February 22 and the Champions League last 16 first-leg tie at Real Madrid three days later.

But the immediate headache for Rafael Benitez will be naming a strong XI for the Premier League clash with Pompey at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Lucas Leiva is serving a one-match ban after being dismissed in the same match, while deep-lying forward Robbie Keane was sold without replacement on transfer-deadline day.