Glen Johnson suffers knee injury

[Bender]

Liverpool's dramatic 1-0 injury-time win over Aston Villa was overshadowed by an injury scare involving England defender Glen Johnson.
The former West Ham right-back, 25, came off with two minutes left after suffering a suspected knee injury.
"We don't know, we have to do a scan - maybe he has a problem with his knee," said manager Rafa Benitez afterwards.
Johnson has already missed three games with a calf problem as Liverpool have had an injury-plagued season.
Liverpool's winner was scored by Fernando Torres, who has been hampered by a groin injury this season.
But after Liverpool's victory, Benitez revealed that the Spanish striker, whose injury-time winner was his 50th goal for the club, has been more recently troubled by an ankle injury.
"Fernando has had some problems with his ankle more than his groin and he has been working very hard with the fitness coach and the physio," said Benitez.
"It depends on how he feels - in terms of how many games he can play but against Villa he was OK."

[tiktu]

At least he gets the rest what seems to be needed anyways. Let's just hope that Skrtel or Carra is not the answer for right back slot against Reading as Darby can do the necessary job there if Kelly is not yet available.

[badpiggy]

is kelly still injured? i'd prefer anything to letting skrtel back into the centre of defence.

[BigChief]

Skrtel scares me in our defence more than Chuck Norris. And I don't mean that in a complimentary way!

[Fierce]

Skrtel scares me in our defence more than Chuck Norris. And I don't mean that in a complimentary way!

That was some first touch last night, almost went through his shin

[Armchairkopite]

Skrtel scares me in our defence more than Chuck Norris. And I don't mean that in a complimentary way!

His confidence is on the floor, hes a much better player then that.

[dww]

I'd like to see Skrtel and one of Kelly or Darby in the back line against Reading. The former needs confidence and games are the way to get it, the latter pair just need games to aid their development. Whatever the situation short term with Johnson we could do with cover that doesn't mean disrupting the centreback pairing.

[Armchairkopite]

I'd like to see Skrtel and one of Kelly or Darby in the back line against Reading. The former needs confidence and games are the way to get it, the latter pair just need games to aid their development. Whatever the situation short term with Johnson we could do with cover that doesn't mean disrupting the centreback pairing.

I hear what your syaing but I think we need as much continuity with our starting line up as possible until we are playing with the same fluidity as at the second half of last season.

I'm all for player development and bringing up confidence in the squad but i believe players will be more confident stepping on to the pitch into a team that is playing well rather then one struggling for form.

[dww]

I hear what your syaing but I think we need as much continuity with our starting line up as possible until we are playing with the same fluidity as at the second half of last season.

I'm all for player development and bringing up confidence in the squad but i believe players will be more confident stepping on to the pitch into a team that is playing well rather then one struggling for form.

I can see that and in the league I certainly agree. I think though that at this busy time the best way to preserve the same back four ready to play at their best in the league might be to give them a rest in the cup.

Certainly a change at right back given Johnson's injury looks more or less inevitable.

[Armchairkopite]

I can see that and in the league I certainly agree. I think though that at this busy time the best way to preserve the same back four ready to play at their best in the league might be to give them a rest in the cup.

Certainly a change at right back given Johnson's injury looks more or less inevitable.

I suppose it could also depend on whether Torres is going to play as well, obviously if he plays there will be less pressure on the back four.

Shame about Johnson.

[dww]

I suppose it could also depend on whether Torres is going to play as well, obviously if he plays there will be less pressure on the back four.

Shame about Johnson.

Reading are in crap form (lost 4-1 to Plymouth who have been awful at the weekend) I don't think we should be worrying too much. I guess though we do have to go out and win. I might be tempted into playing Ngog and Torres with Babel on the wing.

[red g]

i would rest torres for reading, looks like he needs the time out. Definitely keep the centre back pairing and it could be a good game for aqiliani to get some confidence up.

[Armchairkopite]

Reading are in crap form (lost 4-1 to Plymouth who have been awful at the weekend) I don't think we should be worrying too much. I guess though we do have to go out and win. I might be tempted into playing Ngog and Torres with Babel on the wing.

It would be nice to see an attacking line up such as that alright with Pacheco coming on for a 30 minute cameo in an ideal World.

i would rest torres for reading, looks like he needs the time out. Definitely keep the centre back pairing and it could be a good game for aqiliani to get some confidence up.

I would be surprised if he plays, I think Rafa may rest Aquiliani for this one.

[The_weatherman]

i would rest torres for reading, looks like he needs the time out. Definitely keep the centre back pairing and it could be a good game for aqiliani to get some confidence up.

I agree about Torres,

Should beat them with Lucas and Aquilani in midfield N'Gog upfront supported by Benni, Babel and Kuyt - Riera if he's fit. Skrtel and Agger at the back with Aurelio at left back and Darby or Kelly at right back. Pacheco to come on hopefully and even Ecclestone. I think it's a good chance to give Torres and Gerrard a good rest.

They have four Icelandic players in their team and haven't been doing too well this season.

[Bender]

Liverpool have suffered an injury setback with news that Glen Johnson is expected to be out of action until March.

Injury blow: Glen Johnson may be out until March as he recovers from a knee operation
The right-back has undergone surgery to repair a medial ligament tear in his right knee that he suffered in the 1-0 victory away to Aston Villa at the end of last month.
Immediately after the injury there were fears that Johnson had suffered serious damage, but these were allayed by Liverpool, after a scan, with the prediction that he would be out for only a month. However, that diagnosis has now proved to have been optimistic.

As well as Liverpool's busy programme of forthcoming games, Johnson will now miss England's friendly against Egypt at Wembley on March 3, though the national side's manager, Fabio Capello, is relaxed about the 25 year-old's fitness.
Johnson also missed England's last match, the friendly against Brazil in Qatar, through injury, but he remains an important part of Capello's plans for the World Cup in South Africa. England are understood to be close to agreeing to play a friendly against Mexico in May, but there is a dispute with Fifa over possible dates.
Capello is privately relieved that Johnson is resting at a key part of the season and he expects him to be fully fit come the end of the campaign.
That is little comfort to Liverpool or their manager, Rafael Benítez, who is juggling a tight transfer budget as he tries to reshape his squad for a push to qualify for next season's Champions League.
As well as the rest of this month's fixtures, Johnson is now likely to miss key games at home to Everton on Feb 6, away to Arsenal four days later and away to Manchester City on Feb 21.
Johnson's injury will make no difference to Liverpool's plans to sell Andrea Dossena to Napoli for about £4.5 million, although it is believed that the deal has been held up because of the bad weather. Dossena, 28, was due to arrive in Naples.
In Johnson's absence, and with Martin Kelly also injured, Liverpool have turned to Stephen Darby, 21, who featured in the FA Cup tie at Reading. Benítez may also hold on to Philipp Degen a little longer, even though the experienced Swiss international has been as much a flop as Dossena. It is unlikely that Benítez will have the funds to recruit another right-back.
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