After claiming all through the summer that Liverpool FC have more than enough strikers, Rafa Benitez will arrive at Melwood today wondering if he’s got anywhere near enough.
Fernando Morientes will undergo assessment by Liverpool’s own medical staff to see how bad the muscle tear is that he sustained on internation duty with Spain, but he certainly won’t be playing this weekend. Djibril Cisse was doubtful for France last night, and although he did come on for the final quarter of an hour against Ireland, he’ll also be getting assessed at Melwood. Cisse had suffered a twisted ankle. Peter Crouch has only had a brief run-out in the reserves since suffering a hamstring injury. Neil Mellor will be out until December and Harry Kewell is still not back from surgery.
Milan Baros was sold in the summer, with Anthony Le Tallec allowed to go on loan to Sunderland. Liverpool failed in their bid to bring Michael Owen back to Anfield, meaning that Florent Sinama-Pongolle is the only striker available for the Reds.
This mini injury-crisis will upset some Reds fans who were already disappointed at Liverpool’s lack of success towards the tail-end of the transfer window. In many ways though any injury crisis this season could see the chance for one of Rafa’s rookies to make a name for themselves.