Mail: Michael Carrick could have ‘perfect’ star back at his disposal in time for Palace in major fitness boost
Lisandro Martinez could return from his brief injury setback in time to feature against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
MailSport has confirmed that the Argentine’s calf injury was only a ‘minor problem’, which may well see him miss only one game.
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That being said, it’s not as if Michael Carrick will be desperate to rush Martinez back, as Leny Yoro oversaw a tremendous 90-minute shift in his counterpart’s absence.
The youngster partnered Harry Maguire as the Reds claimed their first away clean sheet since March 2025 via a narrow 1-0 win over Everton, who had 10 shots and a whopping 10 corners, while utilising some unusual techniques, to say the least.
Still, when Martinez is back to match fitness, you’d imagine he’ll be restored to the XI at the earliest opportunity, given how impactful he can be from central defence.
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Amad Diallo singled out the 27-year-old for praise over his ‘perfect’ passing abilities recently, and it’s a sentiment that anyone who watches him in action will vouch for.
“Martinez is very good at giving this kind of ball because, before the game, when you talk with him, he will say, ‘You do the run, and I will give you the perfect ball,’” said Amad, reflecting on Martinez’s assist for him against Manchester City at the Etihad in 2024.
“Sometimes you don’t even need to communicate with him, he knows already. When you do the run, he already knows and gives a perfect ball.”
Martinez’s ability to break the lines and uncover the gaps that few other defenders could find is what sets him apart from others in his position, not to mention how press-resistant, physical and assertive he is for a player of his shorter stature.
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