Alonso out for Liverpool
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Article summary
Liverpool FC midfield player Xabi Alonso will be out for up to six weeks after breaking his ankle.
Article body
Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benítez was dealt yet another setback when key midfield player Xabi Alonso broke his ankle in a challenge with Frank Lampard during his side's 1-0 defeat by Premiership leaders Chelsea FC on Saturday.
Injury crisis
Alonso, who should return just in time for Liverpool's UEFA Champions League first knockout round first-leg tie against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 22 February, is the latest in a long line of casualties to hamper the Anfield club. Harry Kewell is sidelined with a groin strain, Milan Baroš is out with a hamstring injury while Vladimír Šmicer (knee) and Djibril Cissé (broken leg) are long-term absentees.
Six-week lay-off
Lampard was booked for the challenge but Benitez said: "We've lost Xabi for five to six weeks. It is a big blow but we have a good squad so we have players who can come into midfield." Alonso joined Liverpool from Real Sociedad de Fútbol for €16m during the summer.
