Rodgers gives latest Liverpool injury update ahead of Man City clash

Brendan Rodgers admits Liverpool’s squad is “very thin” heading into the busy festive period, which starts with their trip to Manchester City on Boxing Day.

Jon Flanagan, who scored a memorable strike in a 5-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month, is currently nursing a hamstring injury picked up in a 3-1 win against Cardiff City last weekend.

Our squad is very thin at the moment, 17 players – which is unfortunate for us coming into a busy period

Brendan Rodgers

And Liverpool boss Rodgers, whose side will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day, revealed that the 20-year-old will be assessed over the next 24 hours ahead of the Citizens clash.

“Our squad is very thin at the moment, 17 players – which is unfortunate for us coming into a busy period. We just have to assess young Jon Flanagan,” Rodgers told a pre-match media conference.

“Leading into the game against Cardiff he had a tight hamstring for a few days. He was fit enough to start and play; he felt it a little bit in the game so obviously we had to take him off.

“We just need to assess how that is over the next 24 hours. At the moment, none of the guys who have been out have returned, so we’re quite thin on the ground.”

Rodgers also gave the latest injury update on Reds trio Jose Enrique, Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge.

“They are still aligned to come back in the timeline that was set,” he added.

“Steven is working really well on the field, he may be the one that might be back a little bit sooner because his work has been excellent. He has been getting round-the-clock treatment.

“Jose Enrique was four weeks last Thursday, I believe, from his operation. So he has still got a bit of time. And Daniel is progressing well, but it is still going to be into January before he will be back.”