Liverpool Pre-City Team News: Rodgers’ Update On Gerrard, Sturridge, Flanagan & More

Liverpool kick off the festive period when take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Boxing Day.

The Reds head into a tough run of games top of the Premier League table on goal difference from Arsenal so will be hoping to come away from the Etihad with a  positive result.

Ahead of the game, boss Brendan Rodgers has been in front of the media and has given Liverpoolfc.com a team news and injury update with the latest on the fitness of Steven Gerrard, Jon Flanagan, Daniel Sturridge and Jose Enrique.

Rodgers revealed that defender Flanagan is a doubt for the trip after aggravating a hamstring complaint against Cardiff on Saturday. The youngster has been standing in for Enrique at left-back while the Spaniard recovers from knee surgery and will be assessed over the next 24 hours before a decision is made over his involvement against City.

Rodgers told the clubs official website:

“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.

“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 was then quizzed on the progress of his three main injury concerns. While Enrique is on schedule to return towards the end of January, Sturridge is also progressing well from his ankle problem and should be back in contention in the early New Year.

Gerrard on the other hand could return from a hamstring injury sooner than expected with Rodgers revealing that the midfielder is receiving ’round the clock’ treatment. He continued:

“They are still aligned to come back in the timeline that was set.

“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.”

Liverpool will be hoping to become the first side to take a point away from the Etihad this season, with City in formidable form so far that’s seen them take maximum points from their home fixtures.

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