Alan Smith was in excruciating pain after the horrific injury he suffered toward the end of the game.
Smith injury horror
By Chris Hatherall. Monday, 20 February 2006.
In the third of our weekly look at the World Cup prospects of England's players and our potential opponents in Germany this summer. Alan Smith will miss the tournament after the terrible injury he suffered at Anfield, but there was better news for Kieron Dyer as he makes his return to the Newcastle team.
Injury watch
England midfielder Alan Smith has had a successful operation after suffering an horrific leg break at Anfield. But he could still be out for up to 12 months. Smith’s injury was described by Sir Alex Ferguson as ‘one of the worst I have seen’ but he is determined to make a successful comeback.
Smith said: "The doctors are very positive, I've had an operation and now it's a question of starting on the road back."
Meanwhile Raul has given Spain a massive boost after making his return after three months out with a knee injury. He played the last 25 minutes of Real Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Alaves.
But Italy’s talisman striker Francesco Totti will be out for two months after breaking his ankle in Roma’s victory over, but still hopes to be fit for the World Cup.
"He's a very important player for the national team," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "It would be a pity not to have him in the World Cup. We will be waiting for him and will do everything possible to recover him in time."
Back in England, Rio Ferdinand missed Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Liverpool after suffering a hamstring injury in training.
Men in form
It was a good weekend for England strikers!
Peter Crouch proved his quality and his bravery as he headed Liverpool’s winner against Manchester United - and played on despite a terrible head injury.
Darren Bent was the difference for Charlton as he scored in their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Brentford and then, on Sunday, Jermain Defoe continued his excellent form by scoring a crucial goal in Tottenham’s 2-2 draw against Wigan.
But perhaps one of the greatest sights for Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was Kieron Dyer putting injury and illness problems behind him to hit Newcastle’s winner against Southampton.
It was only his third appearance of the season and he said: "It meant so much to me and you could see that from my celebration."
Quote
Patrick Vieira talks up France’s chances: "With the return of Zidane and Thuram we will be the ones to watch. We have the team to win the World Cup. We have learned our lessons from 2002 and we will not make the same mistakes. But England are also a team to look out for because they have good players."