Liverpool’s Martin Kelly ruled out until 2013
Liverpool defender Martin Kelly has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year. The 22 year old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the Sunday’s defeat by Manchester United.
The full-back had a scan on Monday morning and vowed to come back “fitter and stronger”.
A club statement said the academy product will be ruled out for a “significant period of time”.
Liverpool said Kelly would require “ACL reconstruction”, meaning the right-back, called up into the England squad for Euro 2012, will be unavailable for at least six months.
Kelly has since taken to Twitter to reveal he will not be appearing for the Anfield club again until 2013.
He wrote: “What I can say is its not the worst injury I’ve had, and for sure I’ll be fighting for my place next year when I’m back fitter and stronger!”
Kelly has made 54 appearances for the club since his debut against PSV in the Champions League in 2008 but the Whiston-born defender’s career has been hampered by injury.
He did not play for almost two years while at the Liverpool Academy because of a back problem, and hamstring and groin injuries have blighted his senior career, but he has featured regularly this season, playing at full-back in four of their five Premier League games.
Injury Worries
Rodgers has also been hit by the injuries suffered by Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini in the 2-1 loss to United.
Agger sustained ‘a significant bone bruise to the left knee’ and, although there is no ligament damage, further tests will be required to discover when he will return to full fitness.
Italian forward Borini has ‘considerable swelling’ to his right ankle but an X-Ray did not find any fracture.
Borini will undergo a MRI scan today to assess any soft tissue damage and determine when he may be able to return to playing,” added the club.