Tommy Smith is worried that his former club Liverpool, with whom he excelled as a central defender under the management of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley in the 1960s and '70s, are facing a defensive injury crisis ahead the beginning of the new Premier League season.
Smith also feels that that a general lack of experience amongst the Reds' current defenders could be a cause for concern over the coming campaign.
Before a ball is kicked, we’ve got an injury crisis in the defence, with Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel all battling to recover from knocks," he told The Liverpool Echo.
"With Sami Hyypia gone, and with Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua still settling in to full-back roles, I feel concerned over the defensive side.
"I was at the Atletico Madrid match and while I know it was only a friendly, the young lads at centre-back did get exposed once Jamie went off.
"I’m sure Jamie will be out there at White Hart Lane, but it would be good to see one other first choice centre-back alongside him, because we need to get off to a good start and keep a clean sheet."
The midfield area could also provide some cause for anxiety, Smith feels, with the departure of Xabi Alonso leaving the Reds short of quality, with Alberto Aquilani still to recover from injury and not set to appear for the Reds for at least another month, possibly longer.
"I was pleased to see Lucas having a good game against the Spaniards at the weekend but for me too many of the men in red looked short of fitness and form so close to the start of the season," he added.
"Add in Alonso’s departure – and the fact that his replacement Alberto Aquilani is not fit yet – and we’ve got a lot to put right very quickly in my book.
"Aquilani is clearly a class player from what we hear but the fact we have paid so much for someone who is two months away from being ready, is another big worry for me.
"I know medical science has come on so much that everyone must be very confident he will recover. But I just hope there is a clause in that £20m deal which allows us to get our money back – or most of it – if he does continue to have problems.
"The sooner we see him the better, because Alonso was a very important player for us and we can’t afford to miss his influence for long."
Smith also feels that that a general lack of experience amongst the Reds' current defenders could be a cause for concern over the coming campaign.
Before a ball is kicked, we’ve got an injury crisis in the defence, with Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel all battling to recover from knocks," he told The Liverpool Echo.
"With Sami Hyypia gone, and with Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua still settling in to full-back roles, I feel concerned over the defensive side.
"I was at the Atletico Madrid match and while I know it was only a friendly, the young lads at centre-back did get exposed once Jamie went off.
"I’m sure Jamie will be out there at White Hart Lane, but it would be good to see one other first choice centre-back alongside him, because we need to get off to a good start and keep a clean sheet."
The midfield area could also provide some cause for anxiety, Smith feels, with the departure of Xabi Alonso leaving the Reds short of quality, with Alberto Aquilani still to recover from injury and not set to appear for the Reds for at least another month, possibly longer.
"I was pleased to see Lucas having a good game against the Spaniards at the weekend but for me too many of the men in red looked short of fitness and form so close to the start of the season," he added.
"Add in Alonso’s departure – and the fact that his replacement Alberto Aquilani is not fit yet – and we’ve got a lot to put right very quickly in my book.
"Aquilani is clearly a class player from what we hear but the fact we have paid so much for someone who is two months away from being ready, is another big worry for me.
"I know medical science has come on so much that everyone must be very confident he will recover. But I just hope there is a clause in that £20m deal which allows us to get our money back – or most of it – if he does continue to have problems.
"The sooner we see him the better, because Alonso was a very important player for us and we can’t afford to miss his influence for long."
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