Loss of Daniel Agger will hit us hard - Rafa Benitez
Sep 21 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ today admitted the foot injury to Daniel Agger leaves his side in a vulnerable position defensively for the next six weeks.
The Anfield boss hoped his side wouldn’t pay the price for missing out on Gabriel Heinze during the summer, but he now knows his team is one more injury away from a centre-half crisis.
Benitez will promote Jack Hobbs to the senior squad as cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia, but it promises to be an anxious period until Agger’s return.
“We knew this was a position we could have most problems if we suffered injuries,” said Benitez.
“We will be okay if Carra and Sami can stay fit, but we know if there are any more difficulties we will have more problems. Hopefully that will not be the case.
“Jack Hobbs will train with the first team and we will see how he progresses.
“Arbeloa also has experience at centre-half if we need him.”
Agger’s lay-off with a broken metatarsal will no doubt focus Benitez’s attention on finding more defensive cover this January, but that’s a long way off.
Benitez doesn’t believe either Agger or fellow metatarsal victim Xabi Alonso will be available in time for the Merseyside derby on October 20.
“Even if they are fit again in four weeks, they will not have trained so they wouldn’t be ready,” said the boss.
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Sep 21 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ today admitted the foot injury to Daniel Agger leaves his side in a vulnerable position defensively for the next six weeks.
The Anfield boss hoped his side wouldn’t pay the price for missing out on Gabriel Heinze during the summer, but he now knows his team is one more injury away from a centre-half crisis.
Benitez will promote Jack Hobbs to the senior squad as cover for Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia, but it promises to be an anxious period until Agger’s return.
“We knew this was a position we could have most problems if we suffered injuries,” said Benitez.
“We will be okay if Carra and Sami can stay fit, but we know if there are any more difficulties we will have more problems. Hopefully that will not be the case.
“Jack Hobbs will train with the first team and we will see how he progresses.
“Arbeloa also has experience at centre-half if we need him.”
Agger’s lay-off with a broken metatarsal will no doubt focus Benitez’s attention on finding more defensive cover this January, but that’s a long way off.
Benitez doesn’t believe either Agger or fellow metatarsal victim Xabi Alonso will be available in time for the Merseyside derby on October 20.
“Even if they are fit again in four weeks, they will not have trained so they wouldn’t be ready,” said the boss.
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