Riise fit for weekend clash, Alonso and Agger doubtful

[AFII]

John Arne Riise has given Liverpool an injury boost by declaring himself fit for the weekend visit of Birmingham City.
The Norwegian international has missed the last two matches with a groin problem but has been given the all clear to resume full training ahead of Saturday's league clash.

"I'm fit again and raring to go now," Riise told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It was devastating for me to miss the last two games because they were big matches against Portsmouth and Porto.

"I picked up the injury playing for my national team but a scan shown it wasn't a serious problem. I missed four or five days training but I'm a quick healer and thankfully I am fit again now.

"Throughout my time at Liverpool I haven't picked up too many injuries and haven't missed too many games. I'm full of energy now after not playing in the last couple of games and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week's training and the chance to force my way back into the side at the weekend."

While Riise's return will be a welcome boost for manager Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool boss is sweating over the fitness of both Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger who were sidelined for the clash against Porto with foot injuries.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70919-1644.htm

[Marky]

Good, we've missed Ginge.
I have to laugh when people say Riise is our weak link in defence yet these last two games he hasn't played we've looked so vulnerable defensively.
Funny that.

[sonsofthedesert]

Good, we've missed Ginge.
I have to laugh when people say Riise is our weak link in defence yet these last two games he hasn't played we've looked so vulnerable defensively.
Funny that.

You mean the games we haven't conceded in open play? Very weak.

[red g]

Good, we've missed Ginge.
I have to laugh when people say Riise is our weak link in defence yet these last two games he hasn't played we've looked so vulnerable defensively.
Funny that.

it no laughing matter to me, he is the weakest link

[Marky]

You mean the games we haven't conceded in open play? Very weak.

Dont be silly, Kanu missed a penno, Utaka had a few clear cut chances, Benjani had the freedom of the box at one stage. Lst night Porto got in behind us numerous times, Pepe who's a great keeper even flapped at a few crosses, Sami and Finnan got caught out a few times and even Carragher scuffed a few clearances.
Ok, we've kept two clean sheets in the two games but by fcuk we've been very, very lucky in that respect.

[paulcooper4]

Good, we've missed Ginge.
I have to laugh when people say Riise is our weak link in defence yet these last two games he hasn't played we've looked so vulnerable defensively.
Funny that.

I agree with your sentiments fella regarding riise

I wont point out that he hasnt been used in defence this season though

[sonsofthedesert]

Dont be silly, Kanu missed a penno, Utaka had a few clear cut chances, Benjani had the freedom of the box at one stage. Lst night Porto got in behind us numerous times, Pepe who's a great keeper even flapped at a few crosses, Sami and Finnan got caught out a few times and even Carragher scuffed a few clearances.Ok, we've kept two clean sheets in the two games but by fcuk we've been very, very lucky in that respect.

So Risse would sort this? Also they got inn behind us mostly from the right so Risse wouldn't sort that either.

[The_weatherman]

I had no idea that Agger was injured? Benitez sure keeps things to himself - Mourinho would have been moaning about eggs and omelettes if he had Terry and Essien out, we had Momo, Xabi and Agger out and not a peep from Rafa.

[red g]

Dont be silly, Kanu missed a penno, Utaka had a few clear cut chances, Benjani had the freedom of the box at one stage. Lst night Porto got in behind us numerous times, Pepe who's a great keeper even flapped at a few crosses, Sami and Finnan got caught out a few times and even Carragher scuffed a few clearances.
Ok, we've kept two clean sheets in the two games but by fcuk we've been very, very lucky in that respect.

to say thats down to riise, is unbelievable !!!

[sonsofthedesert]

to say thats down to riise, is unbelievable !!!

[Marky]

to say thats down to riise, is unbelievable !!!

Did i say it was down to Riise being missing did i?
All i am saying is many posters say Riise is the weak link in our defence, yet when he isn't playing ie sat and last night we look shaky defensively. Not saying we don't when he is playing but still.

[Parm]

Dont be silly, Kanu missed a penno, Utaka had a few clear cut chances, Benjani had the freedom of the box at one stage. Lst night Porto got in behind us numerous times, Pepe who's a great keeper even flapped at a few crosses, Sami and Finnan got caught out a few times and even Carragher scuffed a few clearances.
Ok, we've kept two clean sheets in the two games but by fcuk we've been very, very lucky in that respect.

Arbeloa and sami were horribly exposed last night, Porto ran riot with their wingers. I now Ginge has his weaknessess but i do like the fella and think he he does offer a lot of stability and physical presence whihc Arbeloa does not have.

[livvy145]

Posted by Dave69 over on SCM


On other sites and will be confirmed tomorrow.

Xabi will be out for a while also.

Tomorrows times below

An arduous trip to Portugal may transpire to have carried an even greater cost for Liverpool after it emerged last night that Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso could face lengthy layoffs with foot injuries. Both players missed their team’s unconvincing 1-1 draw away to FC Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday and, as their return flight touched down on Merseyside yesterday afternoon, they were walking in discomfort.

The two players went immediately to Liverpool’s training ground to have scans amid fears that they had suffered fractures, whether of the dreaded metatarsal or of another bone in their foot. The result of those scans should be known this morning, with Rafael Benítez, the manager, concerned that either player could be out for a number of weeks.

Agger, the Denmark defender, initially injured his foot in the goalless draw with Portsmouth on Saturday and compounded the problem while training at the Estádio do Dragão on Tuesday evening. Alonso, the Spain midfield player, was injured in the same training session and returned to Merseyside with his left foot in a protective cast.

If any squad should have the strength to cope with such setbacks, it is Liverpool’s, particularly in midfield, where BenÍtez has Lucas Leiva, the young Brazilian, to bring into his plans, as well as Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Mohamed Sissoko.

But the picture is less rosy in central defence, where the injury to Agger could leave Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia as the only fit senior players. Benítez may be forced to call up one of last season’s FA Youth Cup-winning squad, such as Jack Hobbs, the reserve-team captain, who is likely to make his first-team debut in the Carling Cup third-round tie away to Reading on Tuesday. One other option would be to use John Arne Riise as an emergency centre half.

Then there is the problem caused by Jermaine Pennant’s sending-off against Porto, with the winger suspended for the next Champions League match, at home to Marseilles on October 3. Benítez did not censure Pennant publicly, but he is known to have been dismayed by the player’s recklessness in diving into a late challenge on Fucile, the Porto defender, having been booked for a similar foul on Ricardo Quaresma in the first half.

Pennant suggested that he had been hard done by, a verdict that was not shared by his manager or his teammates. He pointed out that most players are sent off at some point in their careers, “so please give me a little bit of leeway”. It was not a performance that was likely to do him too many favours in the eyes of Benítez or, indeed, Steve McClaren, the England head coach, who regards David Beckham, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon and David Bentley as stronger candidates to play on the right wing.

[red g]

Good, we've missed Ginge.
I have to laugh when people say Riise is our weak link in defence yet these last two games he hasn't played we've looked so vulnerable defensively.
Funny that.

Dont be silly, Kanu missed a penno, Utaka had a few clear cut chances, Benjani had the freedom of the box at one stage. Lst night Porto got in behind us numerous times, Pepe who's a great keeper even flapped at a few crosses, Sami and Finnan got caught out a few times and even Carragher scuffed a few clearances.
Ok, we've kept two clean sheets in the two games but by fcuk we've been very, very lucky in that respect.

Did i say it was down to Riise being missing did i?
All i am saying is many posters say Riise is the weak link in our defence, yet when he isn't playing ie sat and last night we look shaky defensively. Not saying we don't when he is playing but still.

sorry i put 2 and 2 togethor and got 5 obviously

[Red Star]

Read on RAWK that Agger is out 6-8 weeks.

Hope Sami and Carra can stay healthy...

Hobbs has to be given a chance now surely?