[lfc-news] Mark Lawrenson column - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 2 Nov 2004
Cisse blow is memory Reds could do without
By Mark Lawrenson, Daily Post

ONE of the worst moments in my football career took place at Goodison Park,
in a derby game in the Littlewoods Cup.

I was standing right next to Jim Beglin when he suffered the sort of
horrendous leg injury which has now struck down Djibril Cisse.

That was the most horrific injury I have ever seen, and watching Cisse on
Saturday brought those memories back again.

I was working on Match of the Day and we had several cameras at Ewood Park
to cover the game, which meant we had several camera angles of his break
which we just couldn't use.

As it was, the pictures everyone did see - either on television or on the
back of the Daily Post - were just horrible.

The thing about Cisse is that his whole game is about pace and quick
movement, so he faces a long road to get back to full health and then
hopefully play again.

I don't want to speculate any more on what the future may hold for him, so
I'll just wish him a speedy recovery and all the best for his recuperation.

As for what his absence means for Liverpool, obviously there is a big gap
for someone to fill - at least until January when the transfer window
re-opens - because they were short of striking options before Cisse was
injured.

I still think someone will arrive in January, but whoever it is Liverpool
may have to overpay for them because the person on the other end of the
phone will know they are in a bind.

Obviously Milan Baros will now start every game as the main striker until
then, but the question is who plays with him.

For me, Florent Sinama-Pongolle is still unproven, but will probably get
more chances in the next few games than he would have otherwise.

Luis Garcia is also likely to play as the split striker is some of the
matches, while I hope that this situation could be the making of Harry Kewell.

I've said it again and again that we still haven't seen the real Harry
Kewell since he arrived at Liverpool, and it is frustrating to watch his
talent remaining unfulfilled.

At Leeds he blossomed in the split striker system behind Mark Viduka, and I
hope he will do the same with Baros as the spearhead.

I mean, it is about time that he stepped up and showed Liverpool supporters
what he can do. If he can't do it now, when the need is greatest - and when
he is being kept out of the starting line-up by a full-back playing out of
position - then it could mean that Kewell may not be at Anfield for too
much longer.

I think he will get his first chance at Deportivo La Coruna tomorrow night,
when - despite the loss of Cisse - I still believe Liverpool can get a
positive result.

This is not the Deportivo team of 18 months ago and with the right tactics
as well as Garcia, Josemi and particularly Xabi Alonso on home soil, a win
is within their grasp.

And there is also some good news on the injury front with Steven Gerrard
returning to training. The sooner he is back the better, and I would put
him in the first match he is fit and available for.


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