Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss the start of the Premier League season after picking up an infection related to a troublesome groin injury that has sidelined him since March.

Liverpool says the England midfielder has been admitted to hospital and has started a course of medication to combat the infection.

The club said yesterday that Gerrard isn’t expected to be available to the first team until September, meaning he will miss at least three league matches – against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish had expected to have Gerrard back for the start of the new season, which begins in two weeks’ time.

The latest setback in his attempts to recover from his groin injury, which required surgery last season, means Gerrard will miss at least Liverpool’s first three league matches, against Sunderland, Arsenal and Bolton. The Reds’ first match in September is away to Stoke on 10 September.

He is also unlikely to feature in England’s 2012 European Championship qualifying matches against Bulgaria on 2 September and Wales four days later.

The 31-year-old central midfielder stayed at home during Liverpool’s recent tour of the Far East in a bid to regain full fitness and manager Kenny Dalglish had expected to have Gerrard back for the start of the new season, which begins in two weeks’ time.

Dalglish has plenty of midfield cover in his squad, having signed Jordan Henderson from Sunderland and Charlie Adam from relegated Blackpool in the offseason.