Rodgers Pre-Newcastle Injury Update: Latest On Coutinho, Johnson, Cissokho & More

Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime looking to regain top spot in the Premier League table.

Ahead of the game boss Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference at Melwood on Thursday and gave Liverpoolfc.com a team news and injury update with the latest on Philippe Coutinho, Glen Johnson, Joe Allen, Aly Cissokho and Lucas Leiva.

Rodgers has confirmed he’s received a quadruple boost with Johnson, Allen, Cissokho and Leiva all returning to the squad. Right-back Johnson has been on the sidelines since picking up an ankle injury during a 1-0 win over Man Utd in early September but is expected to feature after returning to training.

Allen and Cissokho have also been nursing injuries in recent weeks but they too are back in contention while midfielder Leiva returns from a one-match ban to give Rodgers what he calls his strongest squad of the season.

“We’ll arrive with our strongest squad of the season against Newcastle.

“They haven’t played games, but they’ve been training now for the last few weeks. Glen Johnson will be back. Joe Allen will be back. Cissokho will be back.

“As I said, this will be the strongest available squad we’ve had this season.”

“Lucas will come back into the squad. He’s another player who has shown his worth and he’s got himself back into the Brazil squad.

“We’ve got a number of players here who are developing and improving in their careers, and he’s one of them.

“The likes of Lucas will come back into the squad and, as I’ve said, it’s the strongest squad I’ve had since the beginning of the season.” Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com

Playmaker Coutinho hasn’t played since undergoing a shoulder operation in September and while the Newcastle game comes too soon for the youngster, Rodgers confirmed he’s not far away from returning to full training with the rest of the squad.

“He’s [Coutinho] working with the physiologists on the field. He’s looking very good, but still not strong enough yet to join the training group.” Rodgers added.

So the Reds will arrive in the north east in good shape looking to leapfrog Arsenal and open up a three point lead over their rivals who take on Norwich City at the Emirates later in the day.

Now we’ve seen the team news, what would be your starting eleven for the game? Share your suggestions below.