Liverpool Pre-Newcastle Team News & Injury Update: Sterling, Kelly & Gerrard

Liverpool head to St James’ Park on Saturday evening to take on Newcastle United looking to close the gap on sixth-placed Everton.

Manager Brendan Rodgers has given his pre-match press conference on Thursday and gave LiverpoolFC.com a team news and injury update ahead of the game with the latest on Steven Gerrard, Martin Kelly and Raheem Sterling.

Reports this week had suggested captain Gerrard would require shoulder surgery this summer but Rodgers has played down those fears, claiming there are no immediate plans for the midfielder to go under the knife. The Reds boss told LiverpoolFC.com:

“There’s nothing in that at all, really. You’ll have noticed over the last year or so, whether he’s been playing for Liverpool or England, he’s had some taping and strapping on his shoulder – but there is no immediate surgery planned.

“We’re just going to see how it goes between now and the end of the season.

“He’s dealt well with it and performed remarkably well, so there is no decision on it at all.”

One player who’s certain to miss the trip to St James’ Park is defender Martin Kelly after the 22-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester United back in September. Rodgers has revealed he has no plans to rush the player back before the end of the season and Kelly will continue to work on his fitness with the aim of being fit for the start of next season.

Here’s what Rodgers told the clubs official website:

“Martin has been working very hard and making good progress,”

“He is in between the training group and the rehab group. But there is no point in rushing him back at this stage of the season.

“There are no thoughts for Martin to play between now and the end of the season.”

“We just have to make sure we get him back fully fit and the objective was always to get him ready for pre-season. He’s a player who did very well when he played at the start of the season.

“He has shown his talent and it will be a boost to have him back in the squad for next season.”

Young winger Raheem Sterling hasn’t featured in recent weeks and Rodgers has confirmed the club are just taking a cautious approach with the youngster and he’s not suffering from any serious injury. He added:

“It’s only been a precaution with Raheem. With him being so young, we are protecting him,”

Rodgers also confirmed he has no new injury worries to contend with for the weekend clash with Newcastle, so it looks like they’ll have the same squad that available that drew with Chelsea last weekend.

Now we’ve seen the team news, what would be your preferred line-up for the game? Get involved in the comments section below.