Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that left-back Jose Enrique is set undergo surgery on his ongoing knee problem, and judging by his comments, it looks like the Spaniard could be out for a while.
Speaking to TalkSport last night, Rodgers confirmed:
"Jose Enrique has been struggling for a little while with an injury.
"He will probably need an operation. It’s a blow for us because he's a very talented player".
Depending on the nature of the issue, knee injuries can take months to heal, which means it's possible that Enrique could miss the rest of the season.
As a recent example, consider Arsenal star Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. He's been out for over four months so far with his knee injury, and he's not due back until the new year (and he didn't even need surgery, which Enrique does)
It's a massive blow for Liverpool IMO, mainly because it means that Liverpool will now have to rely on Aly Cissokho for the foreseeable future, and thus far, the French defender doesn't look like a very effective addition to the squad.
It may also mean that the Reds sign another left-back during the January transfer window, and with the links to left-backs intensifying over the last few weeks, it seems likely that someone else will soon come in.
Of course, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho can also deputise at left-back, and with a raft of central defenders all struggling for game-time, it looks like a solution has just presented itself to Rodgers.
This could be a double-edged sword for Enrique, however. If Cissokho surprises everyone and excels, and/or a new left-back comes in and makes the position his own, it could he hard for the Spaniard to regain his position in the team.
And let's not forget that last year, Enrique - who cost the Reds €8m - found himself on Rodgers' hit-list in the early part of the season, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility that the manager may decide to sell him this summer.
I suspect that this is the beginning of the end for Enrique's Liverpool career.
Author: Jaimie K
Speaking to TalkSport last night, Rodgers confirmed:
"Jose Enrique has been struggling for a little while with an injury.
"He will probably need an operation. It’s a blow for us because he's a very talented player".
Depending on the nature of the issue, knee injuries can take months to heal, which means it's possible that Enrique could miss the rest of the season.
As a recent example, consider Arsenal star Alex Oxlade Chamberlain. He's been out for over four months so far with his knee injury, and he's not due back until the new year (and he didn't even need surgery, which Enrique does)
It's a massive blow for Liverpool IMO, mainly because it means that Liverpool will now have to rely on Aly Cissokho for the foreseeable future, and thus far, the French defender doesn't look like a very effective addition to the squad.
It may also mean that the Reds sign another left-back during the January transfer window, and with the links to left-backs intensifying over the last few weeks, it seems likely that someone else will soon come in.
Of course, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho can also deputise at left-back, and with a raft of central defenders all struggling for game-time, it looks like a solution has just presented itself to Rodgers.
This could be a double-edged sword for Enrique, however. If Cissokho surprises everyone and excels, and/or a new left-back comes in and makes the position his own, it could he hard for the Spaniard to regain his position in the team.
And let's not forget that last year, Enrique - who cost the Reds €8m - found himself on Rodgers' hit-list in the early part of the season, so it's not beyond the realm of possibility that the manager may decide to sell him this summer.
I suspect that this is the beginning of the end for Enrique's Liverpool career.
Author: Jaimie K
Johnson can play at LB if need be.
ReplyDeleteTrue but who would you have play in Johnsons position? Flanagan is still too inexperienced in my opinion. This is a huge blow.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. No need to start moving players out of their preferred positions when there are naturally left-footed players in the squad who can take over.
ReplyDeleteMartin Kelly? We will just need to hope he stays fit.
ReplyDeleteEven Henderson can play RB.
I would rather have Johnson at LB than Cissokho.
Does anyone know why the hell Rodolfo Borrell and the other dude were sacked?
ReplyDeleteBorell apparently wanted a more influential role at the club and LFC were not ready to offer him that. Plus they found out that he was negotiating terms with Manchester City behind their back. So he had to be sacked.
ReplyDeleteJohnson is the best LB/RB in our team. Plus Hendo can be better at RB than Cissokho could be at LB. So if Hendo-GJ as fullbacks is a better combo than GJ-AC, then we should do it. GJ played really well at LB last season, so there's no problem there.
ReplyDeleteI agree! It's a shame to be honest.
ReplyDeletePossible back four:
(RB-CB-CB-LB)
GJ-MS-MS-DA
or
GJ-MS-DA-MSakho
or
MK-MSrtel-DA-GJ
or
MK-MSakho-Toure-DA
We have many options to chose from to be honest.
Think it will be a tough 2-1 win.
I'd give Moses a shot there. Otherwise, Sakho would be good for it too if Agger is playing left-central defense.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you hear this info? I've only found reports that it's something to do with Rodgers wanting more control over the youth setup.
ReplyDeleteWho would want to go to City...Their former Barca directors aren't turning City into Barcelona any time soon, they sacked Mancini for Pellegrini and all they've gotten is poorer results and performances.
I dont think it's a major blow in the bigger picture but short term it is which the amount of games coming up over the xmas period. Lets hope Kelly can get his groove back.
ReplyDeleteI'd give Cissokho a chance and if he's not up to scratch I'd put Johnson on the left and hopefully Kelly on the right. Don't know what's up with Kelly. Flanagan isn't as bad as what people make out and the last resort would be Henderson.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely would not put Agger/Sakho on the left, centre backs are uncomfortable in wide areas, they don't want to be dragged out wide during matches, best not to give them a dedicated wide position, IMO.
Sakho & Toure(kept Benteke in his back pocket in the Aston Villa match, might do with Lukaku as well ?!?) should be played in CB because last time Lukaku bullied the hell out of Agger & Skrtel, still I am hoping to see Skrtel with Sakho and might be Toure at RB with Johnson at LB.
ReplyDeleteLets hope we can get Aogo from Schalke because he'd be a steal for that price.
On another note, Derby wants Ibe on loan as well which makes me think Will Hughes is surely coming to us come Jan or be loaned back there.
Shame about Borrell. I've tried to follow his progress and when Kenny got the sack I was hoping Borrell would become assistant manager. It's so surprising because these two guys have worked with 4 LFC managers, and now they get sacked.
ReplyDeleteDon't know what the club is going to do now. I hope it's not Rodgers wanting more control. But Rodgers had claimed he and Borrell shared the same ideas and they had a good working relationship...So who knows.
I agree with Jaimie here I think this is a case of checking out CB's in that position and aiming to get a LB in Jan. I think we were going to be looking in the summer at least anyway so I think Jan will see us get one or try to.
ReplyDeleteThat Rodgers thing is paper speculation rather than fact mate. It's even presented as such in the articles I read anyway. Telegraph and Guardian.
ReplyDeleteIt would be better to go for top end players in the summer window especially when Champions League football is looking promising for us next season.
ReplyDeleteA good point but I think it depends what is available. I'm sure that the LB scouting didn't end with Sissokho. We have had some good players signed in Jan windows too so it's not necessarily the worst time.
ReplyDeleteLB is a position that has been haunting us for a very long time. If we can find another Riise then job done but a player of his quality while he was at LFC nowadays is going to cost an arm and leg and will want play in the CL so I would definitely stick it out till the summer and go for a top quality player.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, poor Enrique. Hope he gets well soon.
ReplyDeleteSecond, maybe a god signing to finally get an LB who doesn't raise question marks every game.
For it being the end of his LFC career. I don't think so. Even if we get a new guy i still rather wait for him to come back than keep Cissokho. And i don't think the club should spend of two LB's at that point.