Liverpool vs Aston Villa preview - Sturridge setback for Reds

Posted Friday, September 12, 2014 by PA

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will miss the visit of Aston Villa as he could be sidelined for up to three weeks with a thigh strain sustained while with England.

Midfielder Emre Can is another international duty casualty as he has been ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury while fellow midfielder Joe Allen returned from playing for Wales with a knee problem which needs to be assessed.

Summer signing Adam Lallana is in line for his competitive debut after recovering from a pre-season knee injury but defenders Martin Skrtel, Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan are all out.

Forward Raheem Sterling needs protecting, not putting on a pedestal as England's next great hope, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

The talented 19-year-old has enjoyed a stellar nine months since regaining a place in the starting line-up, becoming one of the Reds' stand-out performers and playing in his first World Cup.

Sterling has maintained that progress this season with his club, scoring twice in three matches, while also impressing in his last two matches for the national side.

However, Rodgers stressed the youngster should not be over-burdened with expectation.

"I think he needs protection. I have seen it over the years," he said.

"He is a wonderful talent, he is doing great for Liverpool but there are still a lot of things he needs to learn and he knows that and is a mature boy for his age.

"He has grown into a wonderful young man and his consistency and performances are there and the period he has been in the team has been exceptional

"I expect him to keep progressing but in terms of where he is at I think we need to be careful.

"You see so many players where there is a reliance on them - especially with England who, for whatever reason tend to look for one player to put up on a pedestal and very quickly knock him down.

"Raheem will make mistakes, he will have bad games but he will also have outstanding games and it is keeping the calmness with him because he still has a way to go.

"He is certainly performing at a real high and consistent level.

"England know as well as anyone they need a team so they don't have to focus just on Raheem.

"It has to be the team and that will always the winner for England when they come together and they were excellent against Switzerland (in their 2-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory) as a team."

Rodgers has had his difficulties at Anfield against Saturday's opponents, taking just a point from his two previous encounters, so he is well aware of what awaits.

"We deservedly lost in my first season and then we started slowly last season and showed real character to draw the game (having trailed 2-0)," he added.

"They have started well and I am pleased for Paul (Lambert) because a few years ago when he went in there he looked towards building a young group of players and the first season was difficult.

"But they have developed and grown and got better and this season will see them and their young players - and the faith they put in them - bear fruit."

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert could give on-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley his debut.

The midfielder joined last week after a protracted deadline-day transfer. Lambert, meanwhile, has a couple of injury doubts over unnamed players ahead of the trip to Anfield.

Strikers Christian Benteke (Achilles) and Libor Kozak (broken leg) remain out.

Villa sit third in the fledgling Barclays Premier League table after an unbeaten start and Lambert takes his side full of confidence.

"This is a really healthy place at the moment," he said. "The season's started well and we'll go to Anfield with confidence.

"Liverpool lost Luis Suarez, yes, but they strengthened over the summer and brought in a lot of good players to be prepared for competing in various competitions, including the Champions League.

"So we know it won't be easy."