Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Bad news for Reds duo

20 Sep 2007 - 08:57:58

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Liverpool duo Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger will be sidelined for up to six weeks after it was confirmed they had suffered broken metatarsals.

Both players returned to Anfield from international duty earlier this month with foot injuries and scans have confirmed the bad news.

Club spokesman Ian Cotton told the club's official website: "Neither player will require surgery but we expect them to be out of action for between four and six weeks.

"Xabi Alonso has suffered a stress fracture to the fourth metatarsal in his left foot and Daniel Agger has suffered a stress fracture to the second metatarsal in his right foot."

In better news for Reds boss Rafa Benitez, defender John Arne Riise will be available for this weekend's Premier League encounter with Birmingham City after recovering from a groin problem.

The Norway international had missed the last two matches with the injury but has now resumed full training.

He said: "I'm fit again and raring to go now. It was devastating for me to miss the last two games because they were big matches against Portsmouth and Porto.

"I picked up the injury playing for my national team but a scan showed it wasn't a serious problem. I missed four or five days training but I'm a quick healer and thankfully I am fit again now.

"Throughout my time at Liverpool I haven't picked up too many injuries and haven't missed too many games.

"I'm full of energy now after not playing in the last couple of games and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week's training and the chance to force my way back into the side at the weekend."