Lanzini: How I suffered injury that ended Liverpool hopes

Manuel Lanzini has explained how he suffered the injury that scuppered Liverpool’s plans of signing him.

Lanzini was named in Argentina’s 23-man World Cup squad ahead of this summer’s tournament, but has had to withdraw with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

The West Ham playmaker hoped to feature in Russia but now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and is unlikely to play again until next year.

The blow came just as Liverpool were reportedly targeting him as an alternative to Nabil Fekir, who has had his own knee injury troubles.

As it happens, Lanzini’s injury involved former Red Javier Mascherano, as well as Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo.

“I received a pass from Marcos Rojo and tried to give it to Javier Mascherano who was behind me,” he said.

“When I turned, I didn’t set my foot firmly on the ground and all my weight fell on my knee. I knew instantly that it was going to be very bad.”

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