Rodgers loses Kelly to injury but remains upbeat on Reds future
The 22-year-old limped off late in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United after falling awkwardly and appearing to twist his right leg.
He has had the injury assessed and it requires surgery, which is likely to sideline him for at least six months.
The full-back admitted as such when he wrote on Twitter: “What I can say is its not the worst injury I’ve had, and for sure I’ll be fighting for my place next year when I’m back fitter and stronger!”
There is slightly better news concerning Sunday’s other two injury worries, however.
Both centre-back Daniel Agger (bone bruising) and forward Fabio Borini (bruised foot) were forced off but their injuries are not as serious as first feared.
That news will at least come as some relief to Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who has urged his players to be more positive in front of goal in order for them to fully reap the benefits of their new style.
Since taking over from Kenny Dalglish in the summer Rodgers has been working on getting his squad adapted to a game plan based around lots of possession.
In probably their best display so far the Reds dominated Sunday’s home match against United, even after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off before half time, but ended up losing.
Rodgers wants his players to threaten the goal more, especially as they have scored four times in five Barclays Premier League matches, but is happy with the way everything else is developing despite his side being in the bottom three.
“I said to them at half time we have to be effective as well,” said Rodgers.
“We have to hit the target: there is no point us getting into good areas in the field and twisting and turning and being bright if we don’t shoot.
“You have to shoot otherwise you don’t score — that is something we know across the board we need to improve on.”
United full-back Rafael showed no such reticence in front of goal as his stunning strike soon after Gerrard’s opener for Liverpool turned the game in United’s favour.
After five games without a victory at Anfield, United were again struggling, but Rafael curled home a superb equaliser which allowed United to create the platform from which Robin van Persie eventually secured maximum Barclays Premier League points with a late penalty.
Rafael said: “It was a good moment to get it because it was so quickly after they scored. If we hadn’t scored then we might have got a little bit nervous.”
“It’s definitely the best goal I’ve scored for United,” he said. “It wasn’t a great performance from us but in the last five years we haven’t won here so we’re very pleased.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
