Xabi in new injury blow

Good performance from the lad again but...

REDS WAITING ON ALONSO NEWS

Liverpool are waiting to discover the extent of Xabi Alonso's injury after the Spaniard limped out of the Reds' 2-0 FA Cup success at Preston.
Alonso failed to reappear for the second half after colliding with a Preston defender in the closing seconds of the opening period, and assistant boss Sammy Lee revealed the club won't know the extent of any damage for at least 24 hours.
 
"Unfortunately Xabi has had seven stitches in his instep," said Sammy after the game.
 
"We do not know the full extent of the injury, apart from the fact he will be very sore tonight.
 
"Hopefully there will be no damage but we won't know for the next 24 or 48 hours."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N162726090103-2000.htm

I knew as soon as he went into that tackle he was going to hurt himself. I really hope this is not serious because he's been instrumental in winning games this season.

What is 'instep'? Get well  v.soon Alonso 'cos you are the best recent performer.

He should have his scan soon.

Was gutted when he went down, more so when I saw him walking out after half time with that grey boot on. Was it just precautionary?

Not sure if it was the first tackle where that bald c**t stuck his studs up in the midfield "challenge"  or was it just before half time outside the box where the injury actually occurred??

Hope he's OK as I'm sure Masch pulled a hamstring as well...so we might be having Stevie and Lucas running the midfield for the next few games. Lucky Fernando has come back when he has as it let's Robbie play just off him instead of Stevie playing in that role.

Not sure if it was the first tackle where that bald c**t stuck his studs up in the midfield "challenge"  or was it just before half time outside the box where the injury actually occurred??

He recovered from the first tackle when the player booted Xabi's toe, but the second tackle was in his leg and he was down for a while. So I think it was the second tackle that done the damage.

Hope he makes a quick recovery he was in great form as well.

He recovered from the first tackle when the player booted Xabi's toe, but the second tackle was in his leg and he was down for a while. So I think it was the second tackle that done the damage.

Thanks Witto for clearing it up.

How can this happend to us? We were waiting for Nando whole month, now we lost our most influential midfilder it's so F***ing unfair!!!

Hope Xabi will be alright, he doesn't go down easily, so I knew when he did, he was hurt.

Id rather lose me left testicle then Xabi right now. Typical for us an inform player getting a stupid injury

Id rather lose me left testicle then Xabi right now.

Ouch.............that's very brave Brian   

Ouch.............that's very brave Brian   

My lefty wont help win 19 Xabi will tho

Id rather lose me left testicle then Xabi right now. Typical for us an inform player getting a stupid injury

Rather you than me!

Id rather lose me left testicle then Xabi right now. Typical for us an inform player getting a stupid injury

I'd rather lose your left testicle, too. 

Sad Hope he won't be gone for a long time. At least he was walking without crutches. Probably just a bad gash or hard impact to his leg

Sad Hope he won't be gone for a long time. At least he was walking without crutches. Probably just a bad gash or hard impact to his leg

I heard its a 7 stitches job to the foot,hope its not as bad as it sounds :

Not fair at all but football sometimes isnt fair. Have to get back on the job and keep winning, we did it with out Fernando we can do it without Xabi although it is a massive blow.

Liverpool wait on Alonso injury 
 
Alonso had seven stitches in his foot after his attempted shot was blocked
Liverpool are waiting on news of the injury to Xabi Alonso, who needed seven stitches in his foot during Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup victory against Preston.

The midfielder was taken off at the end of the first half and he was later seen on the bench wearing a protective boot.

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee said: "We do not know the full extent of the injury, apart from the fact he will be very sore.

"Hopefully there will be no damage but we won't know for 24 to 48 hours."

Alonso, 27, suffered the injury when his attempted shot was blocked by the Preston defence after a well-placed Robbie Keane laid the ball to him on the edge of the box.

The Spaniard was then treated as the players walked off for half-time but he did not appear for the second half of the third-round tie and was replaced by Lucas Leiva.

Alonso has enjoyed a fine first half of the season for Liverpool after he was on the verge of joining Juventus in the summer when Liverpool attempted to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry.

He also said as recently as October that he was still interested in a move to the Turin club.

Liverpool's next game is against Stoke in the Premier League on Saturday followed by Everton in the Merseyside derby on 19 January. They also face Chelsea on feb 1st
 

Kenny, thats already been posted on previous page 

could be similar to fabregas injury or it could be jst the gash which would mean 1 - 2 weeks

could be similar to fabregas injury or it could be jst the gash which would mean 1 - 2 weeks

A gash would be a few days, and if it was even half as severe as Cesc's injury, he wouldn't have been able to walk at all.

Hope he will not be out for long..we need his services in the midfield. Anybody has an update about his injury ?

I reckon Xabi will miss Stoke, but will be back for the Derbies.

Still maintain it's Xabi that controls our midfield, and this was shown yesterday, would not had half the problems we had in second half had Alonso been on the field.

Hope Xabi will be alright, he doesn't go down easily

Too much information.

A gash would be a few days, and if it was even half as severe as Cesc's injury, he wouldn't have been able to walk at all.

Not sure 7 stitches in your instep would be a few days. Can you imagine how sore that would be, and how you'd risk opening it up every time you kicked the ball? 7 stitches in the side of your head or leg is one thing, but in your instep?

Might need a week or two without kicking a ball. But hopefully there'll be no further damage.

Agree ^ - if I had seven stitches in my instep I'd be in bed for a fortnight I reckon. Or walking round on them huge air bubble wrapping that you get all your ebay junk in.

Have to be looking for a race to be fit for the Madrid clashes in my opinion.

A pretty big blow to miss him for both derbies though...

We'll sill thrash them though!

It's very sad that Alonso got injuired in a hectical period. He is the most influential and essensial midfieler to balance the midfield. We saw how the team drastically lost the ball when Alonso was taken off the pitch. I hope the the best wishes to him.

footballers used to be men, now, well....let's say this...i once played 5 months to the end of the season with a gash down my shin that re-opened and bled every time i played...alan hansen played for years with dodgy knees....shankly once told "Iron Man" Tommy Smith to "take that bandage off you look like a poof"....blah blah...

what i am getting at is that i will be very disappointed if alonso doesn't declare himself ready to play if it is ONLY a gash without any other damage....i mean, come on, stitches, super glue, padding, strappng, etc....it's only a flippin' cut

footballers used to be men, now, well....let's say this...I once played 5 months to the end of the season with a gash down my shin that re-opened and bled every time I played...alan hansen played for years with dodgy knees....shankly once told "Iron Man" Tommy Smith to "take that bandage off you look like a poof"....blah blah...

what I am getting at is that I will be very disappointed if alonso doesn't declare himself ready to play if it is ONLY a gash without any other damage....I mean, come on, stitches, super glue, padding, strappng, etc....it's only a flippin' cut

You play at modern day Premier League pace with 7 stiches at the part of the foot you pass with and perform to Liverpool standard and then I'll agree with you.

footballers used to be men, now, well....let's say this...i once played 5 months to the end of the season with a gash down my shin that re-opened and bled every time i played...alan hansen played for years with dodgy knees....shankly once told "Iron Man" Tommy Smith to "take that bandage off you look like a poof"....blah blah...

what i am getting at is that i will be very disappointed if alonso doesn't declare himself ready to play if it is ONLY a gash without any other damage....i mean, come on, stitches, super glue, padding, strappng, etc....it's only a flippin' cut

There's a difference between stitches on a knee and a foot. You put 80+ pounds of weight on each foot, the chances of it bleeding all over the place are much greater, not to mention how much more pain there is. Also, I would much rather have him out for a few weeks and replace him, than have him play poorly for a few months while we've got other perfectly fit players sitting on the bench. That just doesn't make any sense.

probably 2 weeks mimuimin will probably hear the news monday or tuesday. the schedule looks easy. there is no doubt he is important but we thought torres was important and look what happened. you also have to be lucky to win the title and we seem to have a lock on that this year.come on reds we can overcome all obstacles that are thrown at us because we are #1

of course the best is to keep him out until he is 100% fit to avoid complicating the injury. It's not a tear in a musle or something at least.

It's not a tear in a musle or something at least.

We don't know that yet mate, but it's best to remain optimistic, eh?

Get well soon pal and then help the reds win the treble..yes...we can....

please xabi .. get well soon and recover quickly .. i hope this doesn't end up like fabregas' injury !! Get well soon mr.master class passing ! So know i guess rafa wil have  a two man midfeild now .. he'll problably use a 4-4-2 and not bring lucas on against stoke !

Lucas has shown that he has been improving and would be taking Xabi's place if Rafa wants 5 in midfield. We can also go 4-4-2 with Torres and Keane upfront.

An opportunity for Spearing?

Merseyside Derby?

Absolutely! He really impressed and he needs more opportunities, and what better than against the bitters!!!

An opportunity for Spearing?

Merseyside Derby?

I'll bet if he plays he'll get sent off, i can tell :

We may have to get a spare midfielder after all

Get Lucas on instead of Xabi until he's completely, for 100 percent, recovered from his injury. Lucas performed well every game he played, but he should be a little bit more agressive, like Gerrard and Kuijt. That's the right spirit!

Any update on his injury ?

Look on the bright side. He will get the rest & come back fresh & eager for our champions league game & blow them apart.

Lucas performed well every game he played

Are we talking about the same guy here...?

Are we talking about the same guy here...?

Lucas Leiva, ofcourse he is not as good as Xabi or Mascherano, but if he gets more and more playtime he can become a key player in the future. But if you keep him on the bench, which is truly clear (if you have Xabi and Mascherano to choose from), all of the time, yes, then he's not the best player around. I don't know if you play football yourself, but I do and if you play for 30 mins you cannot get the best out of yourself and that's just disappointing afterwards.

Acording to marca he hasnt broken any bones which means he should be fit to face stoke but we shouldnt risk him anyway lucas hasnt been doin 2 bad lateley and mascheranos back !

Are we talking about the same guy here...?

ah i dont think we are takin about the same player lucas has played 1 good game for us(v newcastle) do you remember the game at fulham he nearly started crying when we started singing 4 alonso  !1

Lucas has been improving. He played well against PSV, played decent against Arsenal and Newcastle.

If xabi hasn't broken any bones or tore any muscles/ligament, i don't think it'll be very long. Just a deep gash which is sore, i guess.

An opportunity for Spearing?

Merseyside Derby?

i think its a bit soon to throw him in he is completely unproven and it would be unfair to throw him in at the deep end like this !

saw a press cutting at the weekend suggesting Alonso would be sold to a spanish club in order to generate funds for a proposed signing,sounds crazy to me does anyone have a clue about this one?

saw a press cutting at the weekend suggesting Alonso would be sold to a spanish club in order to generate funds for a proposed signing,sounds crazy to me does anyone have a clue about this one?

Haven't heard of it. If you're looking for a large index of complete bollocks rumours check talkaloadofbull.com

Haven't heard of it. If you're looking for a large index of complete bollocks rumours check talkaloadofbull.com

definitely saw it in one of the more respected papers,wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise !!

Alonso is a professional...he will pull through..hope will back by champions league

It's bad we've lost him but it's workable. Now Torres is back, Stevie can tuck back into midfield and Keane can play behind Torres, at times Keane has played well behind Torres. I've always been a bit worried what would happen to Xabi when Torres came back and who Rafa was going to drop; Keane or Alonso. Looks like the choice is self explanatory now.

It's bad we've lost him but it's workable. Now Torres is back, Stevie can tuck back into midfield and Keane can play behind Torres, at times Keane has played well behind Torres. I've always been a bit worried what would happen to Xabi when Torres came back and who Rafa was going to drop; Keane or Alonso. Looks like the choice is self explanatory now.

True! Keane behind Torres now Xabi is out and this gives Gerrard his old position back on the center midfield.

I think the competition was more between Xabi and Masch to be honest rather than Xabi and Keane. Unless Rafa wants to continue with the 4231...

at times Keane has played well behind Torres.

I think Keane likes being behind Torres :

no i like alonso in centre mid as it lets stevie g get up n play a more attacking position like he did end of last season, n it worked well. obv with age he'll slowly drop down goin from CM to DM as his pace goes. but no xabi plays a good game, n will be a shame if we loss him

Xabi starts the attacks from our defence. That's why he's important. Masch plays in front of them but he doesn't have the Xabi vision or passing ability to do it. I prefer letting Stevie run around as having him near you freaks the hell out of the defenders

Xabi starts the attacks from our defence. That's why he's important. Masch plays in front of them but he doesn't have the Xabi vision or passing ability to do it. I prefer letting Stevie run around as having him near you freaks the hell out of the defenders

Alonso is so flexible in a mid-field role and the fact that he can put a ball under somebodies foot from 50yds. is scary.

It's Tuesday and still don't know if Xabi is out for a week or a month or if he's OK for Saturday, anyone know. Also Mascha limped out of the Preston game and he's another who may be injured but I havn't heard a thing on the official site so keep your fingers crossed that it's ought about nought.....

Official site hasn't said anything about the injuries sustained against Preston yet.

Why does it have to happen to one of our best players in a red shirt?! To think that Rafa wanted to get rid of him not too long ago & he has been a revelation for the REDS so far this season.

Hope you get over this injury in no time & come back with a vengeance!!! YNWA...

I'm just afraid when Xabi returns, his form will be gone

You play at modern day Premier League pace with 7 stiches at the part of the foot you pass with and perform to Liverpool standard and then I'll agree with you.

Exactly.

It's not about not being "men" these days. It's about being hampered by injury when playing in hectic football against super-fit, super-fast men.

And as for Tommy Smith, the man is now crippled with various ailments as a result of his playing career.

I come bearing (unofficial but) good news!

Xabi Alonso has returned to training for Liverpool after sustaining a foot injury in last weekend's FA Cup tie against Preston North End, The Daily Mail reports.

The Spanish midfielder's fine display at Deepdale was cut short when he was stamped on in a chellenge with a Lilywhites defender. He hobbled to the sidelines for treatment late in the first half and did not reappear after the interval.

A nasty cut on the Basque star's instep required seven stitches, but it was the severe swelling and bruising which most concerned the Liverpool medical staff and manager Rafael Benitez.

Alonso has been hampered by a number of foot and ankle problems through his Anfield career, and it was initially feared he had suffered a reoccurence of the metatarsal fracture which ruined his 2007-08 campaign.

However, scans taken yesterday have cleared the 27-year-old of any breaks or structural damage, and he is even a slim chance to feature this Saturday when the Reds take on Stoke City.

But most important for Benitez and his side is the fact Alonso will be available for the back-to-back derby dates with Everton. The Merseyside rivals will clash in the Premier League on January 19, before meeting in the FA Cup fourth round the following week.

http://www.talkaloadofbull.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/07/1046665/xabi-alonso-cleared-for-liverpools-derby-double

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1107283/Liverpool-relief-midfielder-Xabi-Alonsos-injury-clear.html



So, essentially, if we're unlucky then he will be out for the Stoke game only.

Jumping in the air for joy much?

Said that earlier in this thread Res!

Harder than he looks is Xabi.

If he plays in the two derbies we will batter them bitter blue shitehawks.

Said that earlier in this thread Res!

Harder than he looks is Xabi.

If he plays in the two derbies we will batter them bitter blue shitehawks.

They'll only try to injure him again.

He should really take that "kick me!" sign off his back, eh?

That the same sign he stuck on Fabregas then mate

Yes !that is definetly the best thing I have heard all week well in Res lad.

Rafa will rest him for sure against Stoke ...thats ok. We will need him against the blue sh*te!

RAFA ON ALONSO INJURY LATEST
Paul Eaton 07 January 2009
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N162768090107-1135.htm

Liverpool will wait until the end of the week before deciding if Xabi Alonso is fit to face Stoke City on Saturday.

The Spanish midfielder is recovering from a foot injury sustained at Preston at the weekend which foced him to be substituted at half time.
 
Despite resuming training at Melwood, manager Rafael Benitez today revealed Alonso may need more time for the wound to heal before he can return to competitive football.
 
"Xabi trained yesterday but the problem is he had seven stitches so clearly it depends if he can put boots on and kick the ball," said Benitez today.
 
"For running and training I think he will be okay but we have to decide at the end of the week about his boots.
 
"If he can kick a ball he could be available for Stoke but we will have to wait and see."
 
Benitez expects Javier Mascherano to recover from an ankle knock in time for the trip to the Potteries, but Alvaro Arbeloa is expected to again miss out with a hamstring problem.
 
"Arbeloa is improving but I think he will need another week," added Benitez. "Hopefully next week he can train normally again."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At least we know Xabi can run and train. It's just a matter whether he can kick i guess. Arby's still out. So expect Carra to play right back for a little longer.

Personally, I dont think there is need to rush him back for Stoke, same team as against Newcastle would suffice.

We've seen bad news when players are rushed back (a la Torres).

Xabi's injury is more of a wound, i think. Not a torn/pulled muscle.

As long as he's back following the Stoke game, I'll be happy.

I'm so glad for Xabi and the club that the injury is far less serious than first feared.
Hope your back for the Blueshite FA and league games.

best news we could have wished for and Rafa will know the best time to play him!

Ahh that's great news to come home to , I will look forward to seeing him back in action again as soon as possible.

Willing to put my house on him not playing against Stoke.

And in all fairness we shouldn't need him in any case.

Rest him for Stoke so he is nice and fresh for the Blueshite

Rest him for Stoke so he is nice and fresh for the Blueshite

I agree totally, we don't need to risk further injury to Xabi, we should be able to manage Stoke without his services.

An extra week to recover will make all the difference.

He'll be itching to get at the blueshite.

Keep getting better Xabi..........all the best.

Yeah, keep that wound untouched till the derby

Looks like hes been passed fit for the game but i still think we should rest him i think we should play lucas and have alonso fit for the match agaist tesco

I think he will be left out of the stoke game but Rafa will let Stoke think he is available until the last minute. Don't want to give their confidence a lift until it's too late for them to gain any psychological gain from it. He'll be saved for the bitters.

I think he will be left out of the stoke game but Rafa will let Stoke think he is available until the last minute. Don't want to give their confidence a lift until it's too late for them to gain any psychological gain from it. He'll be saved for the bitters.

Lucas can cover, no worries.

I think he will be left out of the stoke game but Rafa will let Stoke think he is available until the last minute. Don't want to give their confidence a lift until it's too late for them to gain any psychological gain from it. He'll be saved for the bitters.

He'll probably be an unused sub

I heard he can't wear his boot!

Disappointing especially since he has been our (probably league's) best player this season. We will miss his passing against a dogged defensiive unit Stoke tonight. But Lucas has done well in last few games and i hope he can cover well for him. Or we could even do well with 4-4-2 with Gerrard and Masch.

These stats don't lie!

As we head into the second half of the season, we want to know who you think has been our best player so far.
Alonso         4975
Gerrard       3847
Riera       510
Kuyt       266
Reina       174
Carragher       146
Torres       139
Hyypia       110
Agger       73
Mascherano       65
Keane       55
Insua       45
Benayoun       20
Arbeloa       19
Lucas       18
Pennant       18
Skrtel       17
Babel       11
Dossena         10
Aurelio         4

I am trying to figure out how Dossena has more votes than Aurelio