Melwood Today: Gerrard’s Injury Update & Shelvey on target

October 31, 2011
Mark Broomy

Gerrard’s Injury Update

We start Monday mornings Melwood-Today news round up with major doubts cast over Steven Gerrard‘s availability for next weekend’s Anfield clash against Swansea City… The Daily Mail published a picture last night of Gerrard as he “hobbled out of a car on crutches on Sunday with his right leg encased in what appeared to be a cast from his knee to his toes.”

Gerrard, who has played only eight full games for Liverpool since the New Year, missed Saturday’s 2-0 victory at West Brom after picking up an ankle infection.

Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph has revealed last night that “Gerrard had fluid drained from the ankle at a Liverpool hospital yesterday and the club are now awaiting to gauge the effect of that procedure.”

The full extent of Gerrard’s injury should be revealed either later today or tomorrow but the big concern is that Gerrard’s latest injury will force our captain out for a prolonged spell.

The 31 year old only returned to the first team as a substitute in our 2-1 win over Brighton in the Carling Cup on 21 September and was then eased back into the action with substitute appearances against Wolves and Everton before starting our games against Manchester United and Norwich…

Agger’s 100 Premier League Appearances

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger speaking to the official Liverpool website, spoke of his delight at making his 100th Premier League appearance against West Brom on Saturady….

“It’s special to play 100 league games for Liverpool and it has been a long time coming because of the unlucky injuries I have had. Hopefully now I can have an injury free run and I hope now to keep on going and play another 100 games for this club.”

“I am enjoying my football now. I feel I have been unlucky with injuries and hopefully I can get some good luck now because it means a lot to me to play for this club.”

October’s Player of the Month

Liverpool recorded 3 wins (Everton, Stoke and West Brom), 2 draws (Manchester United and Norwich) and 1 defeat (Rangers Friendly) during the month of October…. Over the next few days we will be asking readers to vote for your Player of the Month in our interactive poll below…

Flicks, tricks, touch, assists, goals and passion… Luis Suarez has had a scintillating month with 3 goals this month, scoring in the Merseyside derby and then a brace at the Brittania to guarantee our place in the quarter final of the League Cup. Steven Gerrard made his long awaited return to the Liverpool first team and made the starting eleven against Manchester United, scoring another special free kick in a tense contest.

Jose Enrique has been solid at the back and always a threat in attack, Martin Kelly has continued to shine at right-back while Andy Carroll has been in impressive form this month, with his first goal of the season at Goodison Park quickly followed with another goal at West Brom last weekend. Craig Bellamy scored his first League goal of the season against Norwich when he seized on Jose Enrique’s clipped ball to score infront of the Kop in our 1-1 draw. Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam have also impressed in midfield this month.

We’ve whittled the contenders to a shortlist, so take a look through the options below and then cast your vote for TIA’s Liverpool Player of the Month….

[poll id=”110″]

Results will be announced in Thursday’s ‘Melwood Today’ article…

Loan Watch : Shelvey on target for Blackpool

Jonjo Shelvey continued his impressive form last weekend when he rifled home a late consolation from the edge of the box deep into injury-time for Blackpool during their 3-1 defeat to Burnely. Jonjo joined Blackpool in September on loan until the new year in a bid to gain more experience. So far, he has featured in 5 league games for Blackpool this season and has scored 2 goals for the Seasiders.