Rodgers facing defensive headache for Bournemouth clash

Liverpool are without a number of defenders for tomorrow afternoons FA Cup fourth round tie against Bournemouth at Anfield.

Glen Johnson has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a groin injury, and joins Jose Enrique, Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho on the side-lines.

Jon Flanagan is back in training after his injury, though is not likely to feature, while midfielder Lucas is set for an extended spell out after suffering a knee ligament problem in last weekend’s draw with Aston Villa.

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he actually has just fifteen senior players fit, so is likely to draft in a selection of his youth squad to bolster the numbers.

Meanwhile, with just over a week of the transfer window remaining, the Liverpool manager has revealed that he is only interested in signing players who can make an immediate impact, according to the Express.

Chelsea now look to be leading the race to sign Mohammed Salah from Basel, though the club, in Rodgers’ words, ‘have been working very hard to get players in’.

However, he went on to add that he would much prefer to take a look at some of his younger players than draft in others just to make up the numbers.