Watch Liverpool

Posts Tagged ‘jonjo-shelvey’

• Midfielder carried off in Carling Cup win at Chelsea
• Liverpool recall Jonjo Shelvey from Blackpool as cover

Liverpool are anxiously awaiting the outcome of a scan on Lucas Leiva’s knee, amid concerns the influential midfielder could be out for the rest of the season.

The Brazil international was carried off on a stretcher minutes from the end of Liverpool’s Carling Cup quarter-final victory at Chelsea on Tuesday night, following a collision with Ryan Bertrand. His manager, Kenny Dalglish, refused to speculate on the extent of the injury after the 2-0 win, and the 24-year-old is not expected to have the scan until Thursday. However, Lucas, who remains on crutches, fears he has suffered serious damage to the knee and that he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His season could be over if the scan confirms a ruptured cruciate ligament and a six-month recovery period.

Lucas’s form and reputation has been transformed at Liverpool in the past two seasons and his loss would be a major setback to Dalglish, as his side look to build on two impressive wins at Stamford Bridge in nine days plus the encouraging home performance against Manchester City on Sunday.

Far from the maligned figure of Rafael Benítez’s final year in charge at Anfield, Lucas is now recognised as an invaluable member of the Liverpool team and has been virtually ever-present under Dalglish. With Steven Gerrard absent with an ankle problem, and not in line for an imminent return, plus Alberto Aquilani on loan at Milan, the possible long-term absence of Lucas would heighten responsibility on his fellow midfielders Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Jay Spearing to maintain Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.

With numbers potentially light in central midfield, Liverpool have taken the precaution of recalling Jonjo Shelvey from his successful loan spell at Blackpool. The 19-year-old scored six goals in nine Championship appearances for Ian Holloway’s side, including a hat-trick in the 5-0 defeat of Leeds United, but has returned to Anfield as a consequence of Lucas’s injury.

The Blackpool manager said: “Obviously this is a setback to us as Jonjo has done ever so well in his short time with us. We knew that Liverpool had the recall option on him and it is only the unfortunate injury to Lucas that has prompted them to take this course of action.”

Holloway has not ruled out re-signing Shelvey on loan when the transfer window reopens. He added: “We will be in regular contact with Liverpool about trying to bring him back in January should Liverpool’s injuries clear up.”

LiverpoolAndy Hunterguardian.co.uk

• Knee problem ends Denmark international’s season
• Club still waiting for a verdict on Steven Gerrard

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has had his season ended by a knee injury sustained in last weekend’s defeat at West Brom.

The Denmark international was forced off in the first half with a tendon problem and, after assessment by the club’s medical staff, the 26-year-old has been told he will be sidelined for two months.

“Daniel has a problem with the tendon behind his knee and won’t be involved again this season,” said Kenny Dalglish.

“He’ll be out for a couple of months before he can start training.”

Agger’s last two seasons at the club have been blighted by injury and his latest set-back could not have come at a worse time with injury problems in defence mounting up for Dalglish, who also lost right-back Glen Johnson to a hamstring strain at The Hawthorns.

Johnson is expected to be out for a month, although no timescale has been put on his recovery, while it is anticipated that Martin Kelly – the player who displaced the England international from the right of defence – will be out for a similar amount of time after a recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Dalglish is still waiting for a prognosis on captain Steven Gerrard, who was due to return from a groin operation against West Brom only to sustain a similar but not identical injury in training on Friday.

The fact there has been no swift diagnosis of the problem raises fears the England midfielder’s season could also be over.

“It’s disappointing for the players because they want to play in every game,” said Dalglish. “We’re getting towards the end of the season but if you’re injured you’re injured.

“We feel for them but the most important people at the football club are the ones who are fit and able to play. We have to get on with what we’ve got.”

There was some good news for Dalglish, though, after Fabio Aurelio – the first team’s only specialist left-back – returned to training after a month out with a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is also back with the squad having made a successful comeback from a knee operation in February with an outing for the reserves this week.

LiverpoolKenny Dalglishguardian.co.uk

• Captain could return to training next week
• Gerrard has outside chance of facing West Brom on 2 April

The Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard, could return to training next week – just over a fortnight after undergoing surgery on a groin problem.

The midfielder was initially ruled out for a month but there is an outside chance he could face West Bromwich Albion – and the former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson – in their Premier League game on 2 April. However, much will depend on the 30-year-old’s rehabilitation and he will not be pushed back into action early if he is not fully fit.

Gerrard could also be joined in training next week by Martin Kelly, who has been out with a hamstring injury since late February. There is also positive news over Jonjo Shelvey, who had a knee operation in early February, and Fábio Aurélio (hamstring).

“They’re all improving,” said the first-team coach, Steve Clarke. “They’re our four longer-term injuries, the ones that have been causing us a bit of concern recently, but hopefully they’ll all join in training next week.

“If they’re in contention for West Brom it’s a bonus for us, but if they’re not we’ve got other difficult matches coming up next month against Manchester City and Arsenal and if they’re ready for them then it will be good for the football club. It will be a difficult month in April with a lot of tough games, but if we can have our full squad ready to go then we’ll look forward to the challenge.”

Liverpool are currently four points behind fifth-placed Tottenham, who they must overhaul if they are to qualify for the Europa League next season.

LiverpoolSteven Gerrardguardian.co.uk