Daniel Agger: Fighting fit and ready
Story by Ben Thornley
DANIEL AGGER has vowed to fight for his first-team place after returning from his injury nightmare against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday.
The Denmark international, who played for 75 minutes of the 1-0 victory at Prenton Park, has missed almost 10 months of football with metatarsal problems, with his previous appearance for Liverpool coming against Portsmouth last September.
Agger's absence has been offered up as a major factor in the Anfield outfit's failure to challenge for the title last season by his manager Rafael Benitez, who was left with just two senior centre-backs, Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.
Martin Skrtel was recruited for £6.5million in the January transfer window as cover, with the imposing Slovakian defender impressing in the end of season run-in alongside Carragher as Liverpool reached the semi-final of the Champions League.
And now Agger admits he will have to prove his first-team credentials all over again.
He said: " I feel like I am starting over. You can say that I have missed a lot of football or, you can say that there is a lot to come.
"I didn't play and that's how it is. I am focused on this season and I really, really have been working hard to keep my fitness level up.
"Of course, I worked throughout the summer and my target has been to keep my fitness high so that I am ready for the first day of the season.
"The competition for places will be hard. That's what you expect at a club like Liverpool. I will fight for my place and the rest of the players will do the same."
The 23-year-old, who has spent the summer working on his fitness admits the last 10 months have been the toughest of his fledgling career.
"It has been way too long for me," he added. "It has been the most frustrating time of my career and I am trying to look forward now and not back on how bad it has been. I am concentrating on this season now.
"I was low, but you have to concentrate on coming back as soon as possible, keep working and that is the most important thing, don't be sad about what happened but keep looking forward.
"Everybody helped me, but I know myself best and I have a really strong will to get back.
"What happened is such a long story that I don't think anyone has the time to hear it. What is important is that I am pain free and comfortable now."
Agger's return is a major boost for Benitez, who is confident of tying up a deal for Gareth Barry this week, ahead of the new season.
"I think Agger did okay," said Benitez, who will now take his team to Switzerland for a pre-season training camp. "The main thing for us was to see if he could come through and he had no problems so he will be a good plus for the team.
"This is the type of game you want so you can see if the players are fit. We have also seen a fantastic goal and some good play in attack, so it was positive day."
A delightful Yossi Benayoun strike on the stroke of half-time decided a dull affair at Prenton Park, as Benitez took the opportunity to give his young hopefuls a chance to shine.
Several of Gary Ablett's reserve side produced assured displays, with former Barcelona starlet Danny Pacheco in particular impressing in a lone striker role.
The manager said: "Today I think Pacheco was really good and he had two or three chances and was a threat in attack.
"We saw how good he was for the reserves last season and today everyone could see he has the talent and the quality."
There were also encouraging debuts from new boys Philipp Degen and Diego Cavalieri, with Benitez adding.
"Cavalieri didn't have too much to do but we know he will be a keeper who will fight for his place with Pepe (Reina)," said Benitez.
"We also saw what Degen can offer on the right side. It is a game that we can take positives from and a lot of the lads tried to impress.
"I think Degen had four or five good openings in attack and he put in a few crosses and I think we saw the potential that he has."
Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant appears to be heading for the Anfield exit, with Blackburn Rovers ready to offer around £3m for the winger.
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