By DAN KARELL

It’s looking likely that Liverpool will be without captain Steven Gerrard for one of the more crucial periods of the season.

Gerrard is expected to miss the next three weeks of the season after complaining of hamstring tightness following Tuesday’s 3-2 victory against Tottenham. The club are still waiting for test results to confirm the news but even the slightest hamstring tweak calls for a three-week layoff.

If it’s true that Gerrard does miss the next three weeks, it would rule him out of at least the first leg of Liverpool’s Europa League knockout round tie against Besiktas, as well as English Premier League matches against Crystal Palace and Southampton.

“Unfortunately, he felt his hamstring towards the end of the game and he is having a scan this morning and we are just waiting for results to come back,” Liverpool assistant manager Colin Pascoe told the BBC.

“Hopefully the scans won’t show too much but as we’ve not got the results I can’t say too much.”

Here are some stories to kick off your Thursday:

REAL MADRID EYING FC PORTO’S DANILO FOR NEXT SEASON

Real Madrid have already identified a new signing for the 2015-2016 season.

According to Spanish publication Marca, Real Madrid are interested in signing FC Porto right back Danilo. The report states that it will cost Los Blancos at least €20 million to sign the Brazilian and FC Porto are inclined to offer Danilo a new contract, with his current deal running out in 2016.

Danilo though has reportedly declined to sign a new deal precisely to keep his options open for a move to a new club.

Danilo has scored three goals in 19 Portuguese league matches this season for second-place Porto. He joined FC Porto in summer 2011 after two years with Neymar at Santos. Danilo has nine caps with the Brazilian National Team and was a regular call up last fall under new head coach Dunga.

Real Madrid already have Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Arbeloa, and even Sergio Ramos as capable right backs in their squad.

DESCHAMPS CONTRACT EXTENDED THROUGH NEXT WORLD CUP

The French Football Federation are apparently happy with what they’ve seen so far from the French National Team under Didier Deschamps.

In an announcement on Thursday, the FFF has extended Deschamps’ contract to remain as head coach through the 2018 World Cup.

“Following a proposal from president Noel Le Graet, the executive committee of the FFF has decided to extend the contract of France head coach Didier Deschamps until the next World Cup in 2018 in Russia,” a statement read.

Deschamps took over the French National Team in 2012 following the Euros and led France through qualifying and to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. He’s now preparing his side to host the 2016 Euros.

Since the World Cup, the national team has secured wins over Spain, Portugal, Armenia, and Sweden.

QUICK KICKS

Francesco Totti is a doubt to play vs. Parma due to suffering from the flu, and Ivorian champion Gervinho’s return to Roma has been delayed due to a death in his family. (REPORT)

Juventus are considering re-signing Simone Zaza this summer, though it would cost them €15 million to bring him to Turin from Sassuolo. (REPORT)

River Plate have been crowned the cup champions of South America after beating San Lorenzo, 2-0, on aggregate in the Recopa Sudamericana. (REPORT)

Atletico Madrid are ready to listen to offers for 31-year-old defender Miranda. (REPORT)

West Ham forward Andy Carroll faces another long spell on the sidelines after injuring his knee again. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Do you see Liverpool suffering without Gerrard in the lineup? What do you think of Danilo potentially joining Real Madrid? Did Deschamps deserve a contract extension?

Share your thoughts below.