Former Liverpool and Newcastle United fullback Jose Enrique has announced his retirement.

Enrique has retired from football aged 31 due to a long-term knee injury.

The Spaniard, who also enjoyed a spell at Newcastle, told Marca he could not play without medication to fight the pain.

Enrique, who is without a club after a season at Real Zaragoza, endured the start of his injury hell during his five years at Anfield.

He said: “I could not play without medication, I did not even train. It was hard, desperate.

“Sometimes I got dizzy in training on so much medication.

“After every game my knee swelled like a ball and I was barely able to walk for three days.

“Something that was supposed to be for three months ended up turning into two years.

“I saw five doctors in England but they did not get the problem.

“It hurts me, but so many times they told me that it was a psychological problem that I came to believe it."