The swelling went down, the MRI was done, and the news came back confirming the worst fears and
least palatable rumours: Lucas Leiva will be out, at best, for the remainder of the season after
injuring his ACL. This is, of course, horrible news for the player himself, whose development into
one of the best holding midfielders in world football had finally seen a long overdue shift in
public and media opinion.
In a summer full of rumours that Raul Meireles was on his way out, there was always an
assumption that that exit was being sought by the club. Even though Liverpool made signals that
they wanted to keep the player, rejecting out of hand multiple bids while including the Meireles in
games where those out of favour were left to sit in the stands, those rumours just wouldn't go
away.
Mount up, buttercup, it's time to see what's in the news.
In case you missed the news that Ed mentioned in passing yesterday, the Blackpool match on
Boxing Day looks likely to be postponed. Adjust your travel plans accordingly.
And remember, for every person who looks for a silver lining by saying it could mean Hodgson
will be gone by the time the rescheduled game rolls around, its equally easy to find a charred and
smoldering lining in that every postponed match makes it more likely Hodgson will have a hand in at
least a couple of January transfers.
Hello there.
It's a quick turnover between matches to start the week, and Ed will be along later to talk a
bit about the Wednesday game against Wigan, but in the meantime here are a few links to keep you
company while you finalise your plans for world domination:
* "John W Henry's revolution needs a sacrificial lamb for progress to be made, writes
Dion Fanning," writes Dion Fanning's headline writer.
