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Before the start of the season, rumours suggested that Liverpool had taken the unusual step of sending players Brendan Rodgers deemed surplus to requirements to train on their own. For Fabio Borini, Mario Balotelli, and Jose Enrique the message was clear.
The club were so desperate to be rid of them they wouldn’t even be given the illusion of being part of the team—of having a chance to impress the manager and earn a role. They were out; they were gone; the club didn’t want them around. Today, Enrique spoke about the situation, but said he still wants to fight for his place.
"I’m in a difficult position, having been alienated along with Balotelli and Borini," he told Marca. "I have a year left in my contact, and I imagine the club are looking to sell, but I still want to stay and fight like I always have. If a good opportunity came along for a good contract and more opportunity to play, I would look at it."
Part of the reason Enrique does want to stay and fight is because he sees only one natural left back at the club in Alberto Moreno, and in a season where Liverpool are likely to play 60 or more games across all competitions, he expects that sooner or later he will have to get chances. It seems a reasonable, rational argument.
However, with reports Rodgers is considering selling his one natural left back and is content to enter into the season with an 18-year-old right-footed centre back his only real option, Enrique may be wrong about the depth chart meaning he’ll get a chance—no matter how nonsensical or stubborn it would make Rodgers seem.
"I will not give up," he added. "Football changes from day to day. I know that from experience. I’m perfectly fit now after two years of discomfort with my knee, and in addition, on the left there is only one natural player so I know if I stay I’ll play. I want to prove that some people are wrong."
