Thursday, May 07, 2009

Liverpool FC's Xabi Alonso Ruled Out Of West Ham Game

Liverpool’s title ambitions have been rocked by the news influential midfielder Xabi Alonso is a doubt for Saturday’s match at West Ham United.

The 28-year-old Spaniard was stretchered off in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United following a challenge by Joey Barton – a foul which earned the midfielder a red card.

However the Reds’ disappointment over Alonso will be tempered by the news fellow midfielder Javier Mascherano and star striker Fernando Torres could return for the Upton Park fixture.

Argentina player Mascherano twisted his ankle in the routine victory over relegation threatened United, while Torres missed the game with a hamstring problem with manager Rafa Benitez hoping he will be allowed sufficient rest over the summer.

Benitez said: “Xabi is the main doubt for the weekend. He has been working and hopefully he will be better in a few days. He is improving but we have to wait.

“We’ll have to check him for the weekend because it is more serious than Mascherano’s injury.”

“He is training with the physios and maybe tomorrow he will start training with the rest of the team.

“I think he will make the weekend.

“We have to work together with the fitness coaches and also the doctors of Spain during the summer and hopefully it will be okay for him (Torres).”

With the Anfield club still very much in the hunt for the Premier League title, all thoughts are pinned on this weekend and a vital three points in London.

With leaders and defending champions Manchester United needing just seven points from their remaining four fixtures to secure the championship, Liverpool must beat Gianfranco Zola’s side to keep the race alive in the day’s late kick-off.

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