Updating Steven Gerrard’s Groin and Other Wednesday Notes

By: Noel | August 3rd, 2011

Today we learn that Alberto Aquilani’s agent probably doesn’t have trismus, writing about groins in a semi- serious manner is harder than you’d think, and Dirk Kuyt likes to sit in the lotus position and chant Om Namah Shivaya. All that awesomeness and more in today’s news and notes, a Hans Moleman production…

* Over the weekend we learned that Steven Gerrard was set to be out until at least mid-Septempber due to a deep infection in the tissues surrounding the sight of surgery to repair his damaged groin muscles. Given the time that had passed since the initial surgery and the depth of infection at the site, not to mention the fact that he was kept in hospital while doctors attempted to treat the infection, there were legitimate reasons to fear for the long-term fitness of Liverpool’s captain. However, baring any further developments, the initial results of treatment are quite positive according to Kenny Dalglish:

Steven won’t be too far away. The tests that have come back are far better than what was anticipated, so we are delighted by that. We’ve had some very positive news and will just wait for the progress to continue.

We’ve had positive news but the date [of return] the club has stated remains the same.

It’s not a surprise the club wants him fully recovered from these latest complications before throwing him into the fray, so that even with the best case scenario coming to pass he’ll still miss the first month of the season is hardly unexpected. Still, when you’re talking hospitalisation for major infection at the site of a months-old surgery, it’s hard to imagine a better outcome than the one passed along by Dalglish, which makes it very good news under the circumstances.

* For those wanting to go deeper into the Alberto Aquilani situation in an attempt to make sense of it all, recent statements may offer some clarity when it comes to figuring out where things currently stand. Kenny Dalglish at least seems as though he would like to have the Italian around, though he doesn’t sound bullish on the prospects of keeping him, saying among other things that “Alberto is a very good footballer full stop, irrespective of where he is playing.”

More than anything he seems resigned to the idea that Aquilani won’t be playing for Liverpool this season, though recent comments—as well as those made prior to his return praising the Italian—would seem to make it clear that that isn’t because the manager doesn’t rate the player.

Meanwhile, of course, Aquilani’s agent has continued his ongoing dialogue through the press:

I think an agreement could be reached for a figure around 10million euros. Aquilani is still tied to a three-year contract with Liverpool and before his eventual departure we will talk with the leadership of Liverpool. It seems clear to me that the player doesn’t fall into the technical plans of the coach, so the suggestion of his departure is concrete.

Given that Dalglish and John Henry have both publicly praised Aquilani, suggesting they value what he brings to the club, the agent’s final sentiments come across as disingenuous at best. Aquilani’s talent seems clear to everybody watching from afar, and nothing said by the current leadership of Liverpool Football Club suggests those closest to the situation would disagree with that general sentiment. Combined with the recently revealed video of Comolli and Aquilani talking in a hotel lobby that was discussed by Mardia, Jerod, lfc80uk, and others in the comments yesterday—video that, while of low quality, clearly shows an at times heated conversation between the two men and Aquilani suggesting that some club other than Liverpool is where he’d rather be—the situation begins to flesh itself out.

Somewhere between Christian Purslow using him as a convenient scapegoat and shipping him off and his fiance giving birth to his first child in Italy, it appears that Aquilani decided that a future at Liverpool was out of the question, and at the end of the day that appears to be the end of the conversation as far as he or his agent are concerned.

* Shifting back to concerns on the pitch from concerns off it, after the at times shaky showing against the Valerenga reserves on Monday, Dirk Kuyt took to the microphone to do his part perpetuating the calming it’s only preseason mantra:

I’m not concerned as it’s still pre-season. If we beat [Sunderland] in our first game then it’s been a good pre-season for us.

We have to do a little bit more to be ready for the league but we still have time to work on things. We had a good trip to Asia, we’ve all worked hard and the next step is to put that into the games. We have another practice game on Saturday to put things right.

I’m sure if we do that a little bit better in the next game then we will be ready for Sunderland.

The rest of the Liverpool obsessed world will remain hopeful but skeptical, since while the results of preseaon may matter little, it is nonetheless an exercise in building towards a new season and there have been precious few signs of Liverpool building towards much of anything through five of the six summer friendlies so far.

That wraps things up for today, and Ed will be around tomorrow to help you through the rest of the week as we approach the final preseason match against Valencia on Saturday. In the meantime, while we try to figure out if we want our slogan to be, “Your daily source for updates on Steven Gerrard’s groin,” or, “Your daily source for updates on Alberto Aquilani’s agent”…

Some Related Liverpool Posts:

Category: Premier League, Team News, Transfer News

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mardia

Interesting comments from Dalglish re: players who are content to sit around and get a salary:

" Dalglish did not dismiss the idea that some players are prepared to sit
back and enjoy the salary. "If I was a footballer I would want to play,"
he said. "That's my philosophy. Everybody is a bit different. People
may get satisfaction out of [just getting a good salary]."

Link: http://www.independent.co.uk/s...
Avinash Joshi

How much will it cost to put a hit out on aquilani's agent?
lfc80uk

My life is finally complete! I have been mentioned in the best football blog on the net! Excuse me, I am just going to go and phone my mum! :)

*walks away in a John Bender-esque fashion*

http://geekonfilm.files.wordpr...
Antonio

So many discussion on Aquilani. I think he don't rate highly on himself to cope with BPL, so he want to go away, to Italy which suit his play. But as many suggest, good to keep hime till Jan, after all Liverpool not in any Europe game, so he will not be cup tie and his value will not be depriciate. However this is a problem, no other club seem to want him for a price that Liverpool is hoping to get, a bad bussiness for Liverpool. The club is struggling now to sell/loan players to balance the pay check on those players, which either no one want them or their pay just too high. I learn that Joe Cole going on loan to QPR, and Liverpool has to bear 1/3 of his weekly salary.

Anyway too much news on Aquilani, I actually hope to get some news about our best players coming back, namely Lucas & Suarez, any update when are they coming back?
Suarez from the car park...

Cole to QPR would be great even if we pay 1/3 of his salary. If he got regular game time, he might get his form back. that won't happen at lfc.
Unfortunately seems like he won't go. It seems he reckons he's got a chance of getting into the first team as he's got his fitness back. I'm very sceptical.
LouisvilleRed

I think we'll keep Aquilani until the January transfer window. He's perfect cover Gerrard/Meireles. It's a gamble to think Gerrard will absolutely be back in early September. His groin infection isn't the first setback. Meireles is currently under precaution as well. Henderson doesn't consistently look ready to step into this spot. He has a pernicious tendency to disappear in games. Ignore the noise from him and his agent.
Guest

"Barney's movie had heart, but 'Football in the Groin' had a football in the groin."
Suarez from the car park...

damn. I'm doing my holiday travelling on both the 6th and 13th. doh! when's kickoff for Valencia?
Ed

You're seriously asking? After my display on Saturday? Is this a test?

5:30 BST (maybe) and 12:30 EST (almost certainly).
Suarez from the car park...

lol. Well, in that case I will almost certainly miss it, maybe.

Anyone know of a pub in the Coniston area (Southern Lake district) that might show it?
Justin

As far as Aquilani is concerned, as long as we can afford to keep him on the books, I say we force him to stay at least until the January window. That way, we have some adequate cover for Stevie in the midfield, get to reap the benefits of his vision and great balls (hehe), and he'll be forced to put in some impressive performances if he really does want to move on. In the meantime, I suspect that at least moving Jova on will free up some funding for a left back and/or center back.

Woo! for backseat managing!
Red2death

Yup. Stevie really does have a complete package.
alcatrazzledazzle

The thing I like about this blog is that I can learn about Liverpool Football Club and the medical meaning of trismus all in one place. Maybe that could be your slogan?
Baadier

For some reason that is one of the weirdest statements ive seen on this blog and ive been following here for a while. if i remember correctly they had a post with something to do with americans and making hotdogs in their asses?? correct me if im hopelessly wrong.
Ed

You are gloriously right:

http://liverpool.theoffside.co...
Ed

And tomorrow, onychophagia and other consequences of watching Liverpool in defense.
Guest

Is it creepy that I was biting my fingernails while waiting for Google to tell me what onychophagia meant?
Ed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Guest

Love Chris Nolan. Hate this movie.
alcatrazzledazzle

Come on you Meds!
Mike

You mighty Meds! You'll Never Diagnose Alone!
FalloniusMaximus

The thing I hate about this blog is having to see some creepy picture of a guy with trismus with his eyes blacked out to protect his identity. Creepy shit.
Noel

I'll have you know I almost put up a video about trying to set the world record for hardest kick to the groin. Then didn't. You're welcome.

Of course, the only reason I didn't use it was because it only came as a two-parter.
Avinash Joshi

Err... Can I have a link for that one?
Noel

Enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Ed

Who is this?
Guest

For me, that was easy to to look at, after being subjected to Thatcher Moutheyes. Relatively easy, at least.
bidimus

I would reckon KK & DC are just trying to extract a decent price from the Italians on Aquilani who seem to be intent on getting him on the cheap (and why not cos there aint a queue for him?)Don't think there's any more cash in kitty this pre season so we'll need as much as possible from the sale of Aquilani for a LB or CB - two positions much more in need than centre mid. People are getting way too carried about Aquilani playing OK in pre season - when he has a lot of time on the ball he can clearly play but when the real business starts he will not get that time and I doubt he's good enough to make the space for himself. He obviously wants to go hence the constant bullshit from his agent and his injury record isnt the greatest so, leave him go (providing a reasonable price is agreed) and invest the money in the defence. What we never had we wont miss.
CheekyFellow

Glad that I can put on my med school apps that I tried to determine the level of infection of a LiverpoolFC player, via internet, unsuccessfully.

I noticed on the Offside twitter that somebody is in the Eastern Sierras, I was just there 3 weeks ago, awesome eh?
Ravenilli

After listening and watching the Daglish interview I will be very surprised if Aqua man is still a Liverpool player come the start of the season. I will be very sorry to see him go but I don't blame him for wanting away after the treatment he got from the club and it's owners last year.

On a happier note got to love the way Daglish plays with the press at one stage during the interview the lights went out and Daglish says something like first your hacking phones now youse are at the lights. Thought that was brilliant. Then some lady asked if he would elaborate on Gerrard's situation and he gave out stink to her about that he gives them a small bit of information and they go digging for more. Legend.
mardia

I am really looking forward to the day when I don't have to hear the phrase "Steven Gerrard's groin" in Liverpool discussions anymore. Just saying. (That being said, it's good that his recovery is going well so far and that he's responding to treatment. Call me a relentless optimist, but the infection feels like a freak accident more than a sign that Gerrard will be crocked for life.)

Re: Aquilani, it's a shame, but the sooner we move on from this, the better for all concerned, I think. It's clear Dalglish and co aren't blind to his ability, but if the player is THIS determined to leave, there's not much they can do about that. And if we can get a decent fee and spend that on defensive reinforcements, I won't be too sorry.
Ryan

Agreed. I feel like with all this information about his groin, that if I met Stevie on the street, I would be asking about his groin as small talk.
Red2death

There's also the possibility that Aquilani really doesn't figure much in Dalglish's plan because of his attitude, his injury record, his style (apprehensions he can cope with Premiership pace and physicality), etc.

If Liverpool were resigned to losing him, it'd also make complete sense for Dalglish and Henry to praise him, talk him up, and assert how much the club values him, but merely as a negotiating tactic.

Just playing devil's advocate here. Not that I want him to leave after he's been consistently good just before he left on loan, played well in Serie A, and was a rare bright spark in all our preseason matches.
poorscouserbobby

It's been said over and over, Aqua-man is a talented footballer I don't know of any Red that doesn't want him to stay. But, if he doesn't want to be a Liverbird wearing player, then send him on. Get what cash you can and be on your way. This is why I hate Preseason, transfer window ridiculousness is because 99.9999999 percent of what we hear is sheer speculation/bullshit. Come on 13th of AUGUST!