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Following news last week that Jose Enrique was likely to undergo surgery for a knee injury that has hobbled him for much of the season, news today emerged that the left back's operation was a success. A success, though, still means Enrique will be out at least until the end of January at the very earliest. And it still means that Liverpool head into a busy month with only an out of favour loanee and a pair of right backs to cover for his absence.
Enrique, who underwent arthroscopic surgery over the weekend, will miss about ten weeks of action, and even when he returns will likely need some time in training and with the reserves to get himself back up to match fitness. Despite a brief run-out against Fulham prior to the November international break, his knee troubles had meant that he hadn't started a match since the start of October when he took part against Crystal Palace.
The next two months see Liverpool play 11 league games and potentially the first two rounds of the FA Cup and includes trips to face Tottenham, Manchester City, and Chelsea—all in December—as well as Everton's visit to Anfield late in January. It could all make for a very trying time for Liverpool fans, not to mention manager Brendan Rodgers, who will have to choose from a handful of less than ideal options to find Enrique's replacement.
After a strong outing against Everton on the weekend and with Aly Cissokho clearly not in Brendan Rodgers' long-term plans, young right back Jon Flanagan may, rather surprisingly, turn out to be the most likely candidate to start on the left—at least until January, when many will now be expecting Liverpool to move quickly for a left back in the transfer market.