Glen Johnson could return to the bench for Liverpool’s home game against Blackburn on Sunday.
Liverpool’s right back has been out since the end of last year when he tore his right medial knee ligament, an injury that required surgery and a long period unable to do any training.
The England international has spent the past week ensuring his fitness levels improve and with the return of Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres, the reds are aiming for an injury free run-in as they aim to ensure Champions League qualification as well as continue in the Europa League.
Jamie Carragher has been covering at right back for the missing player.
Ironically, the shake up at centre-back has saw Liverpool improve vastly since the turn of the year in defence. Kyrgiakos, Agger and Skrtel have helped the reds to 7 clean sheets in 9 Premier League games, conceding only twice in that time. Kyrgiakos is nearing completion of his ban for his derby day red card.
Glen’s return could spell bad news for Jamie Carragher’s first team selection.
Liverpool’s defence in this seasons Premier League
Jamie Carragher at centre-back
P18
Conceded 25
Clean Sheets 5
Jamie Carragher at right back
P9
Conceded 2
Clean Sheets 7
Leave Carra at right back? Put Carra back in the middle? Or drop our number 23?
Drop Carra? You’re having a laugh.
Why?
I think our current back four looks solid. If wanna put Glen back in, perhaps he could try on the left as he used to play on the left somewhere else and he’s a left footer.
Why not keep the defence as it is and play Johnson at right midfield? He is a major threat going forward and this would allow Kuyt to play a more advanced role until Torres is fully fit. Johnson has played there plenty of times already for Portsmouth.
It does not have to be his long term position but it would seem to make sense for now and would also mean the defence isn’t disrupted from what has been a relatively solid run.
Carra has gone on record in the past as saying he doesn’t like playing right back but he is doing well there. We all know how committed he is to the cause so I’m sure he will keep doing that role for now if it is for the benefit of the team.