Injuries give double blow to Rafa Benitez

Jan 24 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ’S gloomy week deepened yesterday with the news Alvaro Arbeloa will be sidelined for up to three weeks.

The full-back will be absent for at least a fortnight after suffering an abdominal problem during the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Monday night.

In a further injury blow, Andriy Voronin will also miss the FA Cup fourth round tie against Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday after twisting his ankle during training yesterday.

No timescale has been set for the return of the Ukrainian, who had been expected to be challenging for a starting role against the non-League minnows.

Meanwhile, Momo Sissoko is hopeful of completing a move to Juventus by the end of this week.

The Serie A side have lined up the Liverpool man as a replacement for Portuguese midfielder Tiago, who is poised to join Tottenham Hotspur.

Sissoko is currently with Mali at the African Cup of Nations, although he was an unused substitute in their 1-0 win over Benin.

“It’s a matter of a few days,” said Sissoko. “Three days, a maximum of four, and then everything will be decided. I know there has been some movement but we have to wait.

“I confess that wearing the Juventus shirt would be the maximum for me. I have been a Juve fan since I was a child because when I was young I was fixated with Zidane.

“Then, having followed this team, I have become a fan of Del Piero, a great player.”

Sissoko, who played under Juve coach Claudio Ranieri when at previous club Valencia, has struggled to keep a regular starting place at Liverpool but harbours no grudge against Benitez.

“My reason is a very simple one, I am young and I want to play,” he said. “In Liverpool, I’m not playing.

“But I will also be grateful to Benitez for what he has given me. But in football, things change.”

Lucas Leiva’s encouraging start to his Liverpool career has earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad for their friendly with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on February 6.

The 21-year-old has been included in the 22-man party for the clash, with Brazil coach Dunga assessing the midfielder ahead of the Olympic Games in Beijing later this year.

Should Lucas be called up for the Olympics, he could miss the start of next season with the games held between August 8 and August 24.