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The partnership between Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher has been mostly positive over the latter half of the season, with the soon-to-be retired veteran replacing Martin Skrtel as Agger's preferred partner under Brendan Rodgers and rolling back the years to put in one final extended shift before his career as a professional footballer is over.
And while he's still on track to see out the season in central defense, he won't have the familiar face of Agger alongside him, as the club today announced that the Danish captain would be undergoing a series of back treatments that will hopefully see his longer-term well-being stabilized:
The club's medical team and associated specialists have decided to undertake a series of elective injections to enhance the stability of the defender's back. Agger has enjoyed his best season since joining the Reds in terms of appearances having made 39 in all competitions - the highest he has totalled in any campaign since joining the club in January 2006.
Undergoing the treatment means he will miss the remaining fixtures against Fulham and Queens Park Rangers. Liverpool believe this pro-active action and planned rehabilitation programme will have long-term benefits for the 28-year-old's career for both club and country.
It has been remarkable to see the oft-injured defender feature so regularly this season; the cringing and finger-crossing never quite went away, but after dodging a bullet early in the season against Manchester United, he's shown little wear or tear, and anything that can help him replicate the fitness of the season gone by is a welcomed measure.
Agger's absence means that all of a sudden Skrtel's back in the picture, as are a host of other young names that haven't been around first-team football in months--Sebastian Coates, Andre Wisdom, Stephen Sama, and, depending on fitness, Martin Kelly could all find themselves with opportunities over the next two weeks against Fulham and QPR.
Rodgers' dalliance with three at the back against Everton on Sunday doesn't seem like anything that'll pop up again, leaving only one of the aforementioned names in line to join Jamie Carragher in central defense. Whoever it ends up being, let's hope he's able to help the club cross the finish line on a good note, and that Daniel Agger's treatment leaves him in good standing ahead of next season.