Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso added to the Premiership side’s injury woes when it was confirmed on Sunday that he will be out for up to six weeks after breaking his ankle during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Chelsea.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted that the 23-year-old’s injury — which stemmed from a foul by Frank Lampard — is a major loss.
”We’ve lost Xabi for five to six weeks. It is a big blow,” Benitez told the club’s website.
Alonso has been a huge success since arriving from Real Sociedad for £10,5-million last summer, scoring twice in 23 appearances.
Alonso joins a lengthening injury list of attackers, including Australian international Harry Kewell (groin), Czech striker Milan Baros (hamstring) and long-term injury victims Vladimir Smicer (knee) and French international striker Djibril Cisse (broken leg).
Benitez would not reveal whether he will spend any money in the January transfer window, though Real Madrid’s Spanish international striker Fernando Morientes has been linked to them.
”We will see,” Benitez said. ”We have a good squad so we have players who can come into midfield.” — Sapa-AFP