Xabi in new injury blow

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."

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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