Liverpool Pre-Arsenal Team News: Rodgers Offers Latest On Agger, Johnson + Sakho

Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield on Saturday afternoon looking to close the gap on the Premier League leaders.

Ahead of the game, boss Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference and gave Liverpoolfc.com a team news and injury update including the latest on the fitness of Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Mamadou Sakho.

Agger hasn’t played since being substituted during Liverpool’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Oldham Athletic a month ago with a calf strain. Rodgers confirmed that the Danish international is due to return to full training next week but the Arsenal clash comes too soon for the defender.

Johnson has also been on the sidelines for almost three weeks with the full-back nursing a variety of minor niggles and the England defender is also set to return to training next week.

However, it seems centre-back Sakho is going to be out for a little while longer with the player still recovering from a hamstring injury picked up against Chelsea back in late December. Rodgers told the clubs official website:

“No, they’ll not be back for this one, but we’re hopeful that next week [they will be back].

“Glen Johnson is making a great recovery, so there might be a point towards the middle or end of next week [when he can return]. Daniel Agger will hopefully be next week at some stage.”

“Sakho is still out for a little bit, but apart from that we will be the same as what we have been for the weekend.”

With Agger, Johnson and Sakho all unavailable for the Arsenal game this weekend it looks like Rodgers will have no option but to go with the same back-four that started against West Brom meaning Kolo Toure – who was at fault for the Baggies equaliser – will have to continue alongside Martin Skrtel at the back.

A win for Liverpool will see them close the gap on Arsenal to just five points but an away victory would see the Gunners open up an 11 point advantage and surely end the Mereysiders hopes of challenging for the title.

What team would Liverpool fans like to see start this weekend? Share your views below.