Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hopeful that midfielder Philippe Coutinho and defender Jose Enrique should be fit for the weekend clash against Sunderland.
The Merseyside club hosts the Black Cats in the Premier League fixture scheduled between two sides at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds have won the last two matches against Stoke City and Leicester City, ending their long winless streak.
“Philippe Coutinho had a slight issue with his knee during the week but he should be OK for the weekend,” Rodgers told reporters.
“Jose Enrique is back in. We are having to manage Jose and his games, but he has trained and should be available for the weekend. Everyone else, it is as it was.”
Meanwhile, summer signing Mario Balotelli will miss Liverpool’s upcoming clash, along with striker Daniel Sturridge, who has been out of action since September.
On the former Manchester City striker, Rodgers said: “He’s working with the medical team on a daily basis. I trust the team of people here that look after the injuries. Hopefully he’ll be available sooner rather than later.”
“He has gone away to get some work in, with some of our staff, doing specific work. He’s coming along well,” the former Swansea boss said about Sturridge.
The Northern Irishman will be forced to play another summer recruit Rickie Lambert as the lone striker against Sunderland. The other option Rodgers has is Fabio Borini, who spent the last season on-loan at the Stadium of Light.
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