Enrique voices concerns over future of Newcastle

Jose Enrique, Liverpool's new left-back following his protracted £6m departure from Newcastle United, has called into question the direction, ambitions and focus of his former side.

Despite getting lost trying to find Liverpool's Melwood training ground last week, the Spanish defender was delighted to be unveiled after desiring a move to Merseyside for 12 months.

Agitation on his part, and on Newcastle's relating to whether or not he would leave, has not soured the pride Enrique feels for having spent four seasons at St James' Park but he spoke of his concern about Newcastle's long-term plans.

Enrique has followed Andy Carroll to Liverpool, talismanic captain Kevin Nolan was willing to trade the Premier League for the Championship earlier this summer by joining West Ham United and Enrique also claims that Joey Barton is on the verge of departing the north-east. Those players have not, and will not, be replaced by Newcastle and that has prompted Enrique to repeat his criticisms of the club's board.

"Yes I do [worry]," he said. "Not because we leave because at some clubs good players leave. But they have not signed another left-back, nothing. I'm worried not for the club, but more for the fans because they are amazing.

"They are like here, it's really similar. I have a lot of friends in the dressing room and they are a little bit nervous because they don't know what the club is going to do. I think Joey Barton will leave soon and Andy Carroll left in January and it is really, really hard for Alan Pardew. You want to be as high as you can in the table but maybe Newcastle don't think the same and that is why they sell their best players and that is why everyone moves."

Enrique's thoughts mirror the opinions he voiced three weeks ago, albeit he was not quite as diplomatic or as lucid back at the end of July when he used Twitter to criticise Newcastle owner Mike Ashley.

He tweeted: "The club is allowing all the major players of the team to go. Seriously, do you think it is the fault of the players? Andy [Carroll], Nobby (Kevin Nolan) etc etc. This club will never again fight to be among the top 6 again with this policy."

Enrique was hit in the pocket to the tune of a fortnight's wages. "Twitter just gives me problems," Enrique added. "I won't be tweeting again."