Skrtel injury worry for Liverpool

[JohnDoe]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/8168685.stm

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel could miss the start of the Premier League season after suffering an injury in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Thailand.

A scan revealed the 24-year-old has strained his hamstring and he is expected to be out for three weeks.

Striker Nabil El Zhar, 22, also limped off in the same game after spraining a medial ligament in his right knee, which will keep him out for four weeks.

Both players have flown home and will miss Sunday's match against Singapore.

Full-back Glen Johnson will also sit out the final friendly of the club's Far Eastern tour in order to rest his Achilles injury.

However, Real Madrid target Xabi Alonso and Israeli star Yossi Benayoun successfully came through training after recovering from ankle injuries and will be available to play.

Liverpool get their season underway on Sunday, 16 August against Tottenham at White Hart lane, a match which Skrtel is now doubtful for.

The Slovakia international featured 30 times for Liverpool last season and his absence would be a major blow to manager Rafael Benitez.

El Zhar has only started four games since arriving at Anfield from French side St Ettienne in 2006 but Benitez recently handed the Moroccan a new deal to tie him to the club until 2012.

Midfielder Steven Gerrard, who missed the Reds' Far East pre-season tour in order to attend a court case, will not join up with the club for the Singapore game despite being found not guilty of affray.

"We were in touch with him every day and knew what was happening and we were confident everything would be okay," said Benitez.

"Now we need to take care of him, he must rest.

"I have to protect my players. We have already lost two to injury, Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar."

Fans in Asia had been disappointed at missing out on seeing Gerrard whose image was used prominently in promotional material to sell tickets.

"I'm sorry for the fans that we can't bring Gerrard but he is the captain of the team so he is a key player for the rest of the season," added Benitez.

"I hope the fans can respect the decision. We have other big names like Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano and they are all here."

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We've got some serious depth issues in our defence, especially if Arbeloa and Dossena go.

At right back, Johnson can't be expected to play every game and Degen's completely unreliable after the season he's had.

At left back, Insua will become our first choice left back (already a risk) with Aurelio, who's also a massive doubt due to his fitness.

At centre back, we're relying on three CB's to carry us through. Two of them have had long term injuries in the last couple of years. The third is into his 30's.

Surely we can't start the season without a couple of defenders brought in?

Hope it's addressed.

[DannyMan2006]

Out for three weeks.

[Exiled_red]

We need to sign another centre back as cover, to replace Sami

[tiktu]

We need to sign another centre back as cover, to replace Sami

Do we really need that? I don't think Kelly is going on loan because of european quotas so blood him by using him as backup for the three main cb's. Lad looks quite promising.

[BrooklynRed]

Skrtl out up to three weeks... May be fit for Spurs.

Link

[ashey]

I'd like to see Kelly given a go as back-up CB. Everytime I've seen him he looks a good player.

[RedSince1964]

I'd like to see Kelly given a go as back-up CB. Everytime I've seen him he looks a good player.

Totally aagree bud, how else is he gonna get some vital experience eh although, start him off in against little clubs eh

[yukpo]

havent seen much of pre season, is agger back fit again?

and it does look like arbeloa is staying now doesnt it, he can play cb aswell which is good considering we lost sami and didnt replace him(yet anyway).

[Mattshark]

I'd like to see Kelly given a go as back-up CB. Everytime I've seen him he looks a good player.

Sorry can't agree his positional sense is very poor. He looks now way near good enough to be in the first team.

[DannyMan2006]

I'd like to see Kelly given a go as back-up CB. Everytime I've seen him he looks a good player.

When thinking this we always need to go by a scenario where he would be needed.

Would you be confident with him at the back against Chelsea and Didier Drogba? Or being in the starting line up of a crucial european tie against Barca in the Nou Camp?

Brcause a back up in the squad could be expected to fulfil such a role. That said your opinion may be that we already have enough cover in the squad in Carra, Agger and Skrtel and that Kelly should be kept in the first team squad to gain experience. Personally I'm in two minds about this.

[JohnDoe]

It's a shame Mellberg has signed for Olympiacos. Would have been ideal in my opinion.

[lickedlollipop]

Week is injured for three Škrtel's.

[Exiled_red]

Do we really need that? I don't think Kelly is going on loan because of european quotas so blood him by using him as backup for the three main cb's. Lad looks quite promising.

I'd like to see Kelly given a go as back-up CB. Everytime I've seen him he looks a good player.

Totally aagree bud, how else is he gonna get some vital experience eh although, start him off in against little clubs eh

The thing that worries me is he's very inexperienced (just 1 or 2 first team appearences) If as has happened one of our 3 centre backs gets injured, it only takes a knock to one of the other two to see him playing first team football. As good as a player can seem at reserve level it doesn't mean they can make the step up. In my opinion if we're going for the title it's too big a risk, we still need another more experienced player to come straight in the team when needed. Kelly needs more experience first (Cup games or a loan spell or whatever)

[dww]

The thing that worries me is he's very inexperienced (just 1 or 2 first team appearences) If as has happened one of our 3 centre backs gets injured, it only takes a knock to one of the other two to see him playing first team football. As good as a player can seem at reserve level it doesn't mean they can make the step up. In my opinion if we're going for the title it's too big a risk, we still need another more experienced player to come straight in the team when needed. Kelly needs more experience first (Cup games or a loan spell or whatever)

He has had 7 appearances on loan at Huddersfield too. He is young and I'm not 100% sure that I would want to rely on him but at the same time if Rafa thinks he is ready to step up then I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Players like Wes Brown came straight into the United team.

I'd like to see experienced cover come in but at some point you have to accept that to make it at LFC any player coming out of the youth setup will have to play without much experience. The question becomes are they good enough. With players like Insua Rafa has shown he has a pretty decent idea of when this is true.

[red g]

He has had 7 appearances on loan at Huddersfield too. He is young and I'm not 100% sure that I would want to rely on him but at the same time if Rafa thinks he is ready to step up then I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Players like Wes Brown came straight into the United team.

I'd like to see experienced cover come in but at some point you have to accept that to make it at LFC any player coming out of the youth setup will have to play without much experience. The question becomes are they good enough. With players like Insua Rafa has shown he has a pretty decent idea of when this is true.

would prefer to see a similar scenario to Jonny Evans, where he gets a full season on loan somewhere.