Rafael Benitez has allayed fears Daniel Agger’s career is under threat after the Liverpool defender was ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Denmark international will undergo an operation on Monday to reset the broken metatarsal that has decimated his campaign.
Agger has not played for the first team since the goalless draw at Portsmouth on September 15 after suffering the injury, which has affected the second metatarsal of his right foot.
The 23-year-old had to abort an attempted comeback in January before making his return to action with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves against Manchester United last month.
Agger played an hour for the second string against Bolton Wanderers last week, but continued to complain of pain in his foot.
And, with centre-back Martin Skrtel having become established since his January arrival, the decision has been made for Agger to finally go under the knife to repair the problem.
“It’s really bad luck for him,” said Benitez. “He will be out for three to four months, but he will be back for next season.
“We spoke to different doctors and we did everything right. They told us the bone was healed and maybe he could try and play, but it depended on the pain he was feeling.
“He played for the reserves for 45 minutes and felt something but could train the day after.
“The second game he played 60 minutes and the same thing happened, but three or four days later he was still feeling pain.”
Liverpool had originally been told Agger’s injury would heal naturally and would not require surgery.
And Benitez added: “He didn’t have an operation initially. We’ve not made any mistakes with how we have looked after him, we spoke to two or three doctors and they said he could rest, and all the experts said that an operation was the last resort.
“But now, after talking with doctors, he needs an operation. Agger’s problem is the second metatarsal and it’s more difficult than Alonso’s, who broke his fourth metatarsal, as there is more pressure on it.
“Agger is a player with quality, he is a good defender and can pass the ball and score goals. We have missed him this season, especially in the games we have drawn at home because of his ability to bring the ball out of defence.”
The Denmark international will undergo an operation on Monday to reset the broken metatarsal that has decimated his campaign.
Agger has not played for the first team since the goalless draw at Portsmouth on September 15 after suffering the injury, which has affected the second metatarsal of his right foot.
The 23-year-old had to abort an attempted comeback in January before making his return to action with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves against Manchester United last month.
Agger played an hour for the second string against Bolton Wanderers last week, but continued to complain of pain in his foot.
And, with centre-back Martin Skrtel having become established since his January arrival, the decision has been made for Agger to finally go under the knife to repair the problem.
“It’s really bad luck for him,” said Benitez. “He will be out for three to four months, but he will be back for next season.
“We spoke to different doctors and we did everything right. They told us the bone was healed and maybe he could try and play, but it depended on the pain he was feeling.
“He played for the reserves for 45 minutes and felt something but could train the day after.
“The second game he played 60 minutes and the same thing happened, but three or four days later he was still feeling pain.”
Liverpool had originally been told Agger’s injury would heal naturally and would not require surgery.
And Benitez added: “He didn’t have an operation initially. We’ve not made any mistakes with how we have looked after him, we spoke to two or three doctors and they said he could rest, and all the experts said that an operation was the last resort.
“But now, after talking with doctors, he needs an operation. Agger’s problem is the second metatarsal and it’s more difficult than Alonso’s, who broke his fourth metatarsal, as there is more pressure on it.
“Agger is a player with quality, he is a good defender and can pass the ball and score goals. We have missed him this season, especially in the games we have drawn at home because of his ability to bring the ball out of defence.”
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