Rodgers gives latest Liverpool injury update ahead of Hull clash
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers gives an injury update ahead of his side's clash against Hull City on New Year's Day
Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Joe Allen will be sidelined for “a few weeks” due to an abductor injury which he suffered in Liverpool’s 2-1 loss at Chelsea.
Allen, who has enjoyed a recent run of starts in Steven Gerrard’s absence, was replaced by debutant Brad Smith in the second half at Stamford Bridge after picking up a knock.
Joe will be a few weeks. I’m waiting for confirmation on Sakho’s hamstring strain
Brendan Rodgers
And France international Mamadou Sakho, who was criticised by Rodgers after swapping his shirt with Samuel Eto’o at half-time, was also substituted in the closing minutes of the loss due to a hamstring strain.
The in-form Jordan Henderson, meanwhile, was described as having a 70 per cent chance of facing the Tigers on Wednesday following the Blues defeat.
“It’s just been unfortunate,” Rodgers told his pre-match media conference at Melwood.
“The medical team and our training staff have had the players fit for the majority of time that I’ve been here.
“In the last four or five weeks, we’ve picked up injuries which has dealt us a blow.”
He added: “Joe will be a few weeks. I’m waiting for confirmation on Sakho’s hamstring strain.
“Glen came off, but that was tactical. Obviously there’s one or two other niggles that we’ll assess in next 24 hours.
“He [Henderson] is fine. It’s the first day of recovery so he’s still sore. But Jordan is a real soldier.”
Rodgers expects captain Gerrard to be close to a full return to first-team action after missing the past three weeks with a hamstring injury.
“The ones who have been out, like Steven Gerrard will be joining in training,” he added.
“I think by the Stoke game, we’ll have a number of others who won’t be too far away.
“But for the Hull game, we’ll have to reply on what we have.”
