Daniel Agger and the Injury Free Internationals Recap

By: Noel | September 8th, 2011

Spoilers: Everybody came out of this set of internationals fit and unscathed and ready to take on Stoke on Saturday. Except perhaps for Martin Skrtel, though any damage he picked up is going to be of the mental variety. In any case, September’s international break is over and done with, which means no more worries about Liverpool players getting injured in borderline meaningless games. At least until this time next month…

Finland v. Netherlands

Bert Van Marwijk did his best to annoy Liverpool fans by having Dirk Kuyt play the full 90 four days after he played 76 minutes against San Marino. Luckily, Jan-Jan the Hammer Man must still be doing what he does to keep the Dutch Energizer Bunny running along at 137% week in and week out, so Kuyt—who once again played on the left for a victorious Holland—heads back to Liverpool while his country remains safely unchallenged at the top of Group E. Just as they were before the game against Finland. And before the game against San Marino, too.

Slovakia v. Armenia

It was an ugly day for Martin Skrtel and Slovakia, as the Armenian’s proved they’re going to have a say in who goes on to the European Championships next summer by mauling the favourites 4-0 to go level on points and twelve goals ahead of the Slovaks. Perhaps Slovakia shouldn’t have entered the game as favourites, though, as in their two group matches the Armenians have now taken all six points while pumping seven goals past Slovakia and conceding only once. As Group B currently stands, Russia has 17 points and a +6 goal differential, the Republic of Ireland has 15 points and a +5 differential, Armenia has 14 points and a +10 differential, and Slovakia is on 14 points and -2. All of which means Slovakia isn’t out of the running yet with two games remaining for every country, but their road is by far the toughest, especially with Armenia holding all the tiebreakers.

Denmark v. Norway

Agger captained Denmark to a 2-0 victory and came out unscathed, the latter of which being all that really concerns most Liverpool fans when it comes to the frequently physically fragile defender who has replaced Torres as the club’s player most likely to be injured while on international duty. As for his country’s chances of qualification in the wide open Group H, Portugal, Denmark, and Norway all stand on 13 points. However, Norway has payed one game more than the other two while also having the worst goal differential, giving the advantage to the Portuguese and Danes. If Agger and Denmark can get all three points when they play Cyprus in the first match of the October break, it will all but wrap up qualification, with a final match against Portugal four days later likely to decide who wins the group outright and who goes through to the qualification playoffs in second place.

England v. Wales

Before we got wrapped up in Dalglish responding to Capello by saying that Liverpool is happy with Andy Carroll’s fitness and that his lifestyle isn’t an issue, England was busy doing the double over Wales. Downing again impressed in a 1-0 victory that sees England all but mathematically guaranteed first place in the group with a game remaining and a six point, ten goal advantage on second place Montenegro who have two games left. For Wales and their exceedingly slim hopes of qualification, the loss means that they are now mathematically eliminated.

Scotland v. Lithuania

In the end it turns out that Adam’s omission from the Scotland match was indeed precautionary, as he’s expected to start against Stoke on the weekend. Scotland’s 1-0 victory, meanwhile, has managed to move their qualification hopes from being on life support to actually not that far from the realm of possibility. They’re only two points back of the second place Czechs with two games to go and with both sides set to face Spain. It’s a tough task that will likely require Scotland to get some help from the Czech Republic’s other opponent, Lithuania, but it’s still a huge improvement over their situation before the September qualifiers when their hopes seemed mathematical at best.

Spain v. Liechtenstein

Spain won 6-0; they joined the growing list of countries that have officially qualified; Reina didn’t play; no brawls broke out. So pretty much par for the course. Except for the no brawls bit. Interestingly, though, Fernando Torres found himself left out of the side entirely in favour of Alvaro Negredo. Even worse for Torres, his replacement scored a brace to leave the former Liverpool striker—who even at the top of his game never seemed a perfect fit for this Spain squad—with a doubtful future with the national team as next summer’s Euros approach.

Thankfully, that wraps up the international distractions until October 7th, which already seems a date far too close for comfort. For now, though, the terror of FIFA sanctioned international friendly and qualifier action is over and it’s time to get back to club football.

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Euro 2012, International Duty, Premier League, Team News

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Jimbolio

I don't want to be an arse but the euro qualifying groups use head to head records and not goal difference as the first tie-breaker.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I think this has to be the most updated team page on the offside!
YNWA
Suarez from the car park...

So did Carroll look shite in training? Or did Wales just play too well for Capello to beable to risk taking off anyone for Carroll (Young/Rooney).

I suspect the latter, but still don't understand why he didn't use more substitutions in the Bulgaria game, given we were 3 up at half time.

The Carroll question.
I reckon the bar has been raised at the club. The squad is faster and more incisive than it was and Carroll has to step up to the new found pace and service in the squad.

Against Bolton, dangerous crosses flashed past the goal with our new found wing play and service, and he wasn't expecting it all.

AT 22 and with KK/SC coaching him, I don't doubt that they'll get him sorted out. Once he's anticipating the service I think he'll look dangerous again.

Here's hoping we make Stoke look ordinary again.
PDubz18

The good news about Carroll is that the problems he is facing is not physical; you can tell that he is giving his all for the team and is not really tiring out. The problem is getting the service to click with his movement. Whether that is the problem of the crossing being not so good (unlikely) or Carroll's movement being erratic (more likely), that is something we will have to see. As one of the matchday announcers said during the last game, he is the "last piece of the puzzle" to get up and running for us to mount a title challenge.
Suarez from the car park...

definitely. They get Carroll sorted out and the impact on results would be huge.

There's goals to come from different individuals, Suarez, Carroll, Hendo, Bellamy and even Downing and of course Gerrard when he's back in.
Nic

Love it - 'Spoilers warnings'

I was waiting for the news that Ed's discovered that Joe Cole is the love child of Julian Dicks and Georgi Kinkladze...that's not libel, is it!?
Suarez from the car park...

it's pretty defamatory to Dicks and Kinkladze.
ShedYourYellow

It makes no sense coming out of an international break without injury. From a purely logical standpoint, it is impossible. This is one truth that I am absolutely certain of. If it is so that we are entirely fit, nothing will be as it should in my universe.

Steven Gerrard, equipped with a groin fit to climb mountains?

Daniel Agger, transformed from delicate Danish flower into dependable, carbon-fiber-constructed defender?

Andy Carroll, shaved AND with a haircut?

No, my friends. All of this is simply too much to ask.
paul

Don't care about the stubble, but that ponytail clearly affects his play. Next time he starts, lets count how many times he smooths or pisses around with his hair back?

I'm going for 20 on camera...
NotTooXabi

Agreed.

Let's find Ed and kick the shit out of him. For the good of the club.
poorscouserbobby

can we just cut it off?
Ed

Listen dammit, I was preaching abstinence from fitness-related discussion. Not my fault it completely altered the space-time continuum.
NotTooXabi

....says the guy with Swearengen as his profile pic.

*cracks knuckles. injures himself. turns with "betrayed fury" face at ShedYourYellow.*
Ed

Not that type of abstinence, obviously.
ShedYourYellow

Goodness, I'm not equipped to deal with such hooliganism.
Alex_snow2

Note about England-Montenegro: Because qualification is settled on points first, head-to-head record second, and goal difference third, England will be out of first if they lose regardless of goal difference.
Noel

Ta, fair point. Though right now even if they got pipped by Montenegro, they look the most likely to automatically go through as the top second place team based on points gained against all but the sixth place side in each group (where applicable).
NotTooXabi

Pretty much sums it up ---> http://youtu.be/aiUVQ-pla24

No offense, Sue.
Sue

None taken! Myers is a red too :D
Ed

Impostor! Sue doesn't smile.
Noel

I have to say, I do rather miss Sue's cheery optimism.
Sirbobpaisley

Good, I like an article with FACTS and not worthless opinion.
Ed

Yeah Noel, less opinions, more numbers.
Ravenilli

Got to be one of the best pieces of business ever made in football selling Torres for 50 million to the Chelsea. Just got to laugh in Abramovich's money filled face on that one.
Tom Foolery

Couldn't have said it better meself.

Here's to hoping El Nino's recent goalscoring form continues.
Downeytrev

Indeed sir, and we'll cackle even harder when that 35 mil on Big Andy starts to look vaguely like value...
Suarez from the car park...

ok, I'm going to rain on this parade and get boo'd into the bargain. Bring it on. Wait, let me have another drink....there, do your worst, tin hat's on.

I would like to see Torres playing well, but Chelsea don't know how to use him. Their midfield is a bit clueless and their game isn't quick enough.However, Mata and Raul will help sort them out (unfortunately), and while Torres is a bit away from being anything like his best, the EPL is better with his wizardry.The ideal for me is him going to Spain and rediscovering his form. why am I a torres fan? Because his scoring record as a red was brilliant and he left giving us a hell of a payday.
Justin

While the payday for Torres certainly seems to be quite the fallout considering his current form. In reality, if he ever gets back to his free scoring ways and continues to move "Torres9" shirts at the rate he does, Chelsea will be the one taking it to the bank.
Ravenilli

I won't be one to boo you anyway as I loved Torres as a Liverpool player and I will hopefully always remember him as such. My comment wasn't a hit at Torres himself it was at both Abramovich and a brilliant piece of business by Liverpool Football Club.