According to skysports: Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow that Stephane Henchoz will be sidelined for at least a month. The Switzerland defender limped off in the first half of the 1-0 win over Chelsea and will need an operation on a persistent calf problem. Henchoz has been dogged by the injury in recent weeks, and Reds assistant boss Phil Thompson admitted that Gerard Houllier was no longer willing to risk the centre-half's health. Thompson said: "This game was probably one too far for Stephane. He is very important to us and we hoped he would be able to come through, but he has been struggling for a while and now he must have an operation. "That will probably be on Tuesday and he will be out for between four to five weeks. It means he will miss the internationals with Switzerland. "We were hoping he would be okay, but he has been getting problems elsewhere trying to compensate for the injury and it can't go on like this." Henchoz will miss the Euro 2004 qualifiers with Albania and the Republic of Ireland, but will also sit out the Champions League clashes with Spartak Moscow and Valencia and the Premiership games against Spurs and Leeds.
This is a massive blow really. Traore is a very promising player, but H&H work so well together. Crap!
I have been a Traore booster for much of this season, and I am confident he’ll play well enough—but the H&H combo has served us so well, for so long, that a drop-off in defending may be inevitable. It’s really worrying that we seem to be lacking depth in the back. Without Henchoz, we’ll definitely see Traore. But after Traore? Diao did not impress me at CB, frankly (although I believe he’s shown pretty well in midfield.) Abel Xavier? He’s reportedly got some sort of viral illness—and he was very weak, IMO, when he played in the first team last month. Babbel had seemed to be returning to form, but had the flu recently; trouble is, I have never heard anything definitive about when he’ll be back in the team. Vignal, anyone? .
Vignal just got injured in a reserve match, again, though I don't know how serious it is. But, either way, I don't see him in a central defense role. His ball skill and pace is far more suited to the wing. I think that, if Traore goes down, look for Carragher to partner Sami and we get the Return of Abel. Dave
This is a big blow to us but I have been impressed by the form of Djimi Traore, especially on the weekend against Chelsea. It could be a great opportunity for Djimi to cement a permant spot in the back 4 for us and hopefully he'll come through. Wasn't Marcus Babbel on the bench in one of the recent Champions League matches?? That would be a good sign that he's back in action and available for selection. Go Reds!! SeinDude
Babbel captain the reserve side yesterday and it's possible he could be ready to come back soon. Dave
I can hardly wait to see Babbel play. He's a total inspiration, even before the illness. If he's ready, he must start.
I think he was very much a (comparitively) unsung hero in the 2000-01 season. His ability to come forward created space for the midfield (note the difference in midfield goals in the last two seasons) and he provided another aerial option on set pieces. I can't wait to see him play for us again.
Babbel does appear to be getting ever-closer to first-team match fitness--a really welcome development. A somewhat-related story on Abel Xavier: 08 October 2002 : by Paul Eaton Xavier on mystery illness Abel Xavier has played down fears that he is suffering from the same illness which kept Markus Babbel out of football for a year. Liverpool's medical staff are still attempting to diagnose the illness which has sidelined Xavier for the last five weeks, but the Portuguese star insists he has not contracted the debilitating Guillan-Barre syndrome. Xavier said: "I feel very tired and get enormous fatigue, but it is a question of regaining my health. "I cannot train fully at the moment. I am slowly doing some gym work, but I hope to recover soon. "My illness cannot be compared to Babbel's. I have the same kind of symptoms, but that does not mean it is the same diagnosis." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N137010021008-1016.htm So in the defense we have Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, and Riise at full fitness; Babbel on his way back soon--we hope; Vignal questionable due to an unspecified ankle injury, and Xavier out indefinitely. Am I missing anyone? -------
Babbell ready for return Oct 9 2002 Report By Ian Doyle MARKUS BABBEL is ready to fight Djimi Traore for a place alongside Sami Hyypia at the heart of Liverpool's defence.The German continued his comeback with a 90-minute run-out at centre-back for the reserves in their 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Monday. Remainder of article at: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/...fm?objectid=12266696&method=full&siteid=50061 --------------
Rejuvenated Babbel closing in on first team Oct 10 2002 By Scott Mcleod, Echo Reporter Excerpt from the article: 'Thompson revealed: "We talked to Markus before the start of the season and told him to be patient. We always said it would be three months until he is back to full fitness and it looks like that estimate is going to prove right. "He played very well indeed for the reserves against a good striker in Lloyd Owusu (on Monday). "When a player has been away for as long as a year, it does take time to get back to genuine full fitness. You look for signs of that not just in terms of running but in terms of timing and positioning. "Markus is nearly there now and the attitude of him and the other senior players for the reserves this week was outstanding.”' Remainder of the story: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/...fm?objectid=12270935&method=full&siteid=50061 ----------------
It will be hard to displace Djimi Traore after his performance against Chelsea when he came on for Henchoz, but I hope Marcus Babbel is at least on the bench for the Leeds game. Go Reds!! SeinDude
A much-awaited Abel Xavier update: SSN reported last night that Abel Xavier is beginning light training with the club, after being sidelined for more than seven weeks with a virus. --------
And he’s in the reserves again tonight—along with Vladimir Smicer. 24 October 2002 : by Paul Eaton Babbel and Smicer in reserve team Quote: “Markus Babbel and Vladimir Smicer will both take another step on the road to full match fitness when they line up for the reserves against Newcastle tonight (7pm). There are also starting places for Igor Biscan and Gregory Vignal, two players who featured in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in Moscow on Tuesday night.” http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N137245021024-1306.htm -------