Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has admitted he considered hanging up his boots sooner than expected, given the series of injuries he has suffered. The 28-year-old Danish international has been a key player for the Reds this season, starting in 35 Premier League games and scoring thrice.

Daniel Agger
Reuters

"I do not have a long time left. I have considered ending my career sometimes. Right now it is fine, But I have had some serious injuries and at times I have considered retirement," he told Danish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Agger is contracted to the Anfield club till 2016 but his excellent form has earned him interest from Spanish giants Barcelona, something that persisted for nearly a year now. The Dane has earlier been quoted as confirming an interest in playing for the Nou Camp side.

Liverpool fans are likely to be worried by Agger's admissions, given they have already suffered one huge blow in their defensive ranks, with the impending retirement of 35-year-old Jamie Carragher. Brendan Rodgers is believed to be targetting a number of possible replacements for Carragher but has run into obstacles from within the club over the possible transfer of his first choice target, Ashley Williams of Swansea City.

Aldridge on Sturridge

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend John Aldridge believes Daniel Sturridge succumbed to the pressure of his first Merseyside derby. The Toffees visited Anfield on Sunday, with the home side hoping for a win to close the five-point gap to David Moyes' men. And playing without the suspended Luis Suarez, the former Chelsea man was Liverpool's goal scoring hope. Unfortunately, Sturridge had a poor night and the match finished goalless, making it more than likely that Everton will finish above their city rivals for the second season in a row.

"It was a frustrating first derby for Sturridge. I thought his work ethic was good. He battled away and made some good runs. Sometimes you have days as a striker when things don't come off for you. Maybe he sensed what the fixture means to the city and the occasion got to him a bit. It can happen - it happened to me in my career. Sometimes you get a bit tetchy and snatch at opportunities that come your way," Aldridge said in his column for the Liverpool Echo.