Babbel blow for Liverpool
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
Article summary
Liverpool FC will be without Markus Babbel for at least another three months because of continuing health problems.
Article body
Liverpool FC will be without Markus Babbel for at least another three months because of continuing health problems.
’Inflammation of the nerves’
Assistant manager Phil Thompson said the German defender was still feeling the effects of a long-term virus, which has kept him out of action since the start of the season. "Markus appeared to be doing well in his recovery from the virus but he has now contracted what is known as Guillan-Barre syndrome, which basically means an inflammation of the nerves," he told the club’s official website.
Missing since August
Babbel, 29, was a key man in Liverpool’s treble-winning season last year and had been aiming for a return early in the new year. His last appearance came at the end of August, in a 2-1 defeat at Bolton Wanderers FC. Jamie Carragher has since taken over his right-back role and helped Liverpool to the top of the English FA Premiership and the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
’A major player’
"He is going to be out for another three months which is obviously a blow for him first and foremost, and also for the club. You always miss a player of his quality and he is a major player in our squad," Thompson added.
