Rafa Benitez’s pre-season preparations have been hampered after Daniel Agger was ruled out of Liverpool’s first warm up match against St Gallen in Switzerland tonight.
The Danish defender has been forced to remain behind on Merseyside after suffering a recurrence of the back problem which ruled him out of action for more than a month of the last campaign.
Agger first picked up the injury while on international duty with Denmark last February and though he recovered to win his place back in Benitez’s starting line up towards the end of the season the problem flared up again at the weekend and the Reds boss has opted to take no chances on his fitness.
The 24-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at Melwood and will also miss Liverpool’s second friendly away to Rapid Vienna on Sunday.
But Benitez is hopeful that Agger will have recovered in time to take his place on the club’s trip to Thailand and Singapore although the Reds boss will take into account the effects that a gruelling long haul flight to the Far East could have on the centre back before making a final decision.
Agger’s absence has handed an opportunity for young Spanish defender Danny Ayala to show what he can do.
The 18-year-old does not yet have a squad number and was not initially included in Liverpool’s travelling party to take part in the Swiss training camp but with Agger ruled out Benitez drafted Ayala in and could even give him a run out against St Gallen.
The Danish defender has been forced to remain behind on Merseyside after suffering a recurrence of the back problem which ruled him out of action for more than a month of the last campaign.
Agger first picked up the injury while on international duty with Denmark last February and though he recovered to win his place back in Benitez’s starting line up towards the end of the season the problem flared up again at the weekend and the Reds boss has opted to take no chances on his fitness.
The 24-year-old is currently undergoing treatment at Melwood and will also miss Liverpool’s second friendly away to Rapid Vienna on Sunday.
But Benitez is hopeful that Agger will have recovered in time to take his place on the club’s trip to Thailand and Singapore although the Reds boss will take into account the effects that a gruelling long haul flight to the Far East could have on the centre back before making a final decision.
Agger’s absence has handed an opportunity for young Spanish defender Danny Ayala to show what he can do.
The 18-year-old does not yet have a squad number and was not initially included in Liverpool’s travelling party to take part in the Swiss training camp but with Agger ruled out Benitez drafted Ayala in and could even give him a run out against St Gallen.
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