After two Premier League defeats in a row, it's absolutely imperative that Liverpool get back to winning-ways against Newcastle on Monday, and with Gerrard and Skrtel suspended, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that two more of the club's expensive stars are set to miss the game.
In his pre-Newcastle press conference on Saturday, Rodgers provided the following injury updates:
Adam Lallana: "I don't think he'll be ready for Monday. We'll just see how that goes into next week."
Mario Balotelli: "He was injured [for] Arsenal so wasn't available. He's been ill since midweek and continues to be."
If Lallana and Balotelli are unfit, it will mean Liverpool will (potentially) be without five senior players for the Newcastle game: Gerrard, Skrtel, Sakho, Balotelli, and Lallana
To be honest, neither player will be missed. Balotelli has no long-term future at Liverpool, I'd argue the same thing about Lallana, who is (IMO) one of the biggest transfer disappointments of the season.
Plus, Lallana is increasingly injury prone, which is frustrating:
* Three injuries this season already.
* 76 days on the sidelines so far.
* 9 games missed as a result of injury.
A £26m signing should not be missed this easily, but in my view, Lallana has made zero difference to Liverpool's season, but hopefully that will change next year.
As for Balotelli - I still think he has a part to play this season, and if he scores the goal that seals Liverpool's Champions League place - or wins the FA Cup - I'm sure that his abject failure to consistently contribute will be swiftly forgotten.
Author: Jaimie K
In his pre-Newcastle press conference on Saturday, Rodgers provided the following injury updates:
Adam Lallana: "I don't think he'll be ready for Monday. We'll just see how that goes into next week."
Mario Balotelli: "He was injured [for] Arsenal so wasn't available. He's been ill since midweek and continues to be."
If Lallana and Balotelli are unfit, it will mean Liverpool will (potentially) be without five senior players for the Newcastle game: Gerrard, Skrtel, Sakho, Balotelli, and Lallana
To be honest, neither player will be missed. Balotelli has no long-term future at Liverpool, I'd argue the same thing about Lallana, who is (IMO) one of the biggest transfer disappointments of the season.
Plus, Lallana is increasingly injury prone, which is frustrating:
* Three injuries this season already.
* 76 days on the sidelines so far.
* 9 games missed as a result of injury.
A £26m signing should not be missed this easily, but in my view, Lallana has made zero difference to Liverpool's season, but hopefully that will change next year.
As for Balotelli - I still think he has a part to play this season, and if he scores the goal that seals Liverpool's Champions League place - or wins the FA Cup - I'm sure that his abject failure to consistently contribute will be swiftly forgotten.
Author: Jaimie K
