Lucas ruled out for two months

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has been ruled out for two months with knee ligament damage, the Express understands.

The Brazil international picked up the injury twenty minutes after coming on as a substitute in the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon.

The Mail Online believe that Lucas’ lay-off with force manager Brendan Rodgers hand in the transfer market, with talk of a potential move for AC Milan’s Nigel de Jong.

However the 29 year old, who moved to the Serie A side from Manchester City in the summer of 2012 has been a regular for Milan so far this season, and new manager Clarence Seedorf may be reluctant to sanction a move.

Meanwhile, the Metro understands that Mohammed Salah is closing in on his move to Liverpool after reportedly renting an apartment on Merseyside.

The Express had claimed that Newcastle United were ready to rival the Reds’ pursuit of the Egypt international, who currently plies his trade in Switzerland with Basel, though pictures circulating of an alleged property rental agreement deal suggest that a switch to Anfield is near to being confirmed.

The 21 year old has made twenty-nine club appearances in all competitions so far this season, scoring ten times.