Ryan Babel tore ligaments in training on Saturday, but Dutch coach Marco van Basten said the 21-year-old might recover in as little as five weeks.

Babel was set to be a key part of Van Basten's squad for the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

"He needs five to seven weeks to recover," said Van Basten.

Labels: euro, injuries

Liverpool central defender Daniel Agger has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a metatarsal injury.

The Denmark international, 23, will undergo surgery on his troublesome foot injury early next week after being sidelined since September.

"It's a blow for Daniel but we want to get his problem sorted," Rafa Benitez told the club's official website.

Labels: agger, injuries

Rafa is optimistic that injured striker Fernando Torres will be fit to face Barnsley in Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round match.

Torres, 23, missed the goalless draw at Chelsea at the weekend because of a hamstring strain he suffered while playing for Spain against France.

Labels: fernando torres, injuries

Rafa has commented that striker Fernando Torres will likely miss the game against Chelsea on Sunday.

Torres had been hopeful of recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in Spain's match against France on Wednesday. He was forced to withdraw from that match after a challenge from France's Lilian Thuram.

Torres joins Daniel Agger, Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio in the treatment room, while midfielder Xabi Alonso is unavailable through suspension.

Labels: fernando torres, injuries

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger aims to make his comeback from injury at Newcastle after the international break.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been out since early September and has missed 13 matches with a broken metatarsal.

Agger was ruled out of the Denmark squad this week and said: "I'm not going off with my country but I would hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break."

Yossi Benayoun, who has been ruled out of Israel's clash with Russia on Saturday with a groin problem, also has a chance of facing Newcastle.

"Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle, it's still too early to say" said Rafa Benitez.

"He and Agger are maybes but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun."

However, Xabi Alonso, also out with a metatarsal problem, has already been ruled out of the visit to Newcastle.

Benitez added: "Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a 'no' for Newcastle, for sure."

Labels: agger, benayoun, Benitez, injuries, xabi alonso

The Reds have to beat Besiktas at Anfield today in a make-or-break Group A match to have any realistic chance of reaching the last 16.

For today's match, Liverpool will wait until the last minute before deciding whether striker Fernando Torres can play after his adductor strain.

Xabi Alonso (metatarsal) will be out for a month, while defender Daniel Agger is three weeks away from fitness.

Harry Kewell has had no reaction to his groin injury after two run outs as substitute in five days.

Stevie G is ready to go. He told The Sun:
"We want to go for the jugular from the first whistle.

"We know we need a night like Juventus, like Chelsea and like Olympiakos.

"That was probably the last time we found ourselves in a similar position. Our backs were against the wall and unfortunately that's where we are again - but we know we can do it.

"We have to give the fans something to get excited about and that's the aim when the referee blows his whistle.

"Tonight is hugely important and we have to make a fast start to rock Besiktas early. I said two weeks ago we face three cup finals and I haven't changed my position."

Besiktas, who were beaten 2-1 by derby rivals Fenerbahce on Saturday, are without injured defender Gokhan Zan. [ LINEUP ]

Labels: champions league, Gerrard, injuries

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for three weeks with an adductor injury, the club has said.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is also facing a spell on the sidelines after X-rays revealed he had fractured the fourth metatarsal in his left foot.

Labels: fernando torres, injuries, xabi alonso

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool into their Champions League crunch match in Istanbul on Wednesday acutely aware boss Rafael Benitez would substitute him again without a second thought.

Benitez caused a storm by withdrawing Gerrard on Saturday's high-tension Mersey derby win at Everton, preferring the ball retention skills of 20 year-old Brazilian youngster Lucas.

Said Benitez: "Would I do it again? Yes, if it helped the team.

"I have talked to Stevie and he obviously wanted to play out the match. But I repeat that my decisions are based on what the team needs.

"If I felt that I needed to substitute my captain again, of course I would do it. Everything I do is aimed at benefiting the team."

Many feel Benitez put down a marker at Goodison Park on Saturday by hauling Gerrard off because he was playing with his heart and not his head.

Publicly, Gerrard has accepted his manager's viewpoint, but privately it is believed he is still concerned by the situation.

Now Benitez will expect a disciplined display from Gerrard in Istanbul, where Liverpool's Champions League future is on the line.

Labels: Benitez, champions league, Gerrard, injuries, premiership, substitution

Liverpool will again be without striker Fernando Torres for the trip to Turkey because of the thigh injury that kept him out of the derby win over Everton.

Xabi Alonso was on the flight and has a chance of starting the game in midfield.

Labels: champions league, fernando torres, injuries, xabi alonso

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says he is desperate to return to fitness in time to play in Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park.

Torres, 23, pulled up while training with Spain and a scan on Monday "confirmed an adductor injury", said a statement on Liverpool's website.

But Torres, who has scored seven goals for the Reds, said: "I intend to be fit for Saturday. I don't want to miss out.

"I've been told how special the game is and I need to be ready in time."

Labels: fernando torres, injuries

Chronic injury-ridden winger Harry Kewell is closing in on a return to first-team football after a groin injury.

Kewell, 29, picked up the injury while playing for Australia in the Asian Cup in the summer and has not played for Rafael Benitez's side this season.

But Benitez said: "Harry is working really hard and next week he could be training with the first team.

"Harry is very important for us. A player with pace and ability who can score goals is always important."

Labels: Benitez, injuries, kewell

Fernando Torres' injury-time header rescued a draw for Liverpool. Liverpool went ahead after Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson spilt Steven Gerrard's free-kick and Andriy Voronin pounced to snaffle the rebound.

But Robbie Keane's goals at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second changed the game's course.

On both occasions Dimitar Berbatov's headers unsettled Liverpool and Keane's eye for goal proved deadly, but Torres' downward header rescued the home side.

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has been ruled out of Holland's Euro 2008 qualifying double-header against Romania and Slovenia because of an injury picked up during the match.

Labels: dirk kuyt, fernando torres, injuries, premiership, voronin

Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso could be out for up to six weeks after both suffered broken metatarsals.

Agger had been playing with the injury but complained of soreness ahead of Tuesday's Champions League draw in Porto. Midfielder Alonso suffered the injury in Saturday's draw at Portsmouth and limped out of training on Monday.

"Neither player requires surgery but we expect them to be out for between four and six weeks," said a spokesman.

Labels: agger, injuries, xabi alonso

Fabio Aurelio is traveling to Portugal to play for the first time this season having recovered from a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered last year.

His return is good news as Mohamed Sissoko and John Arne Riise will miss Tuesday's Champions League match against Porto. Left-back Riise is ruled out of the Group A encounter with a groin injury he picked up on international duty with Norway last week.

Labels: aurelio, champions league, injuries, riise, sissoko

The Reds have made their best start to a Premier League season since 1994-95 and they will be hoping to maintain their place at the summit with victory at Fratton Park.

Both managers are waiting to check on the fitness of players who were away on international duty this week. Liverpool could be boosted by the return of key duo Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher after injury. [ Pundit ]

Labels: injuries, premiership

Defender Fabio Aurelio came through his first taste of action since rupturing an Achilles tendon in April.

Aurelio played the first 45 minutes for Liverpool reserves in a specially arranged match against Crewe. The Brazilian suffered the injury in last season's Champions League quarter-final at PSV Eindhoven.

Labels: aurelio, injuries

Fernando Torres has handed Rafa an injury scare after picking up a knee knock on international duty. The Liverpool striker sustained the injury while preparing for Spain's Euro 2008 qualifier with Iceland this weekend. Torres, who has scored three goals so far this season, admits he is in pain with the knee injury.

Labels: fernando torres, injuries

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss tomorrow's crucial Champions League tie against Toulouse at Anfield and there is already a doubt over his involvement with England for two vital Euro 2008 qualifiers next month.

The hairline fracture of a toe which caused him to miss last week's international friendly with Germany and the 2-0 Premier League victory at Sunderland on Saturday has ruled Gerrard out of the third qualifying round second leg against the French side.

Labels: Gerrard, injuries

Liverpool have confirmed that Jamie Carragher has sustained a broken rib.

The centre-back was substituted 15 minutes from the end of Liverpool's match with Sunderland on Saturday after a collision with Reds goalkeeper Jose Reina.

Tests on Carragher's injury have now revealed that he has broken a rib and suffered a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung.

Carragher's injuries will not require further treatment, but he is likely to miss Tuesday's UEFA Champions League third qualifying round second leg clash with Toulouse.

Labels: Carragher, injuries

Liverpool have confirmed that Steven Gerrard has broken the toe he injured against Toulouse on Wednesday.

The Reds skipper was forced off during the UEFA Champions League win in France and scans have now revealed a hairline fracture. Gerrard will play with the injury against Chelsea on Sunday, but he will then be required to rest for at least seven days - which rules him out of England's friendly with Germany.

Labels: Gerrard, injuries

Rafa has stated that Brazilian left-back Fabio Aurelio will not be fit for the start of the season.

The 27-year-old ruptured his Achilles tendon during a Champions League tie against Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in April and is still recovering.

Labels: aurelio, injuries