Brendan Rodgers provided an update on the fitness of Lazar Markovic and Daniel Agger, following Liverpool’s 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield.
Neither player was part of the match day squad for the Reds final pre-season friendly, although Rodgers says £20million summer signing Markovic has a chance of featuring in next weekend’s Premier League opener against Southampton.
“He’ll hopefully be around then [against Southampton], but if not then he certainly will for the next game,” the boss explained.
“He had a slight problem with his tendon, but he’s up to speed.
“He’s working with our sports science team, he’s looking very strong and if he just misses out, he certainly should be available for the next game.”
Rodgers also confirmed vice-captain Daniel Agger is still undergoing treatment on a knee injury sustained on the tour of the United States.
“Dan is still getting some work done on his knee,” said the manager. “He’s been unfortunate since America, so he’s still getting treatment.”
Rodgers gave Anfield debut’s to four of his summer signings during the win over Dortmund, and the boss was eager to stress every member of his squad will have a big part to play over the upcoming season.
Rodgers explained: “There is no chore in it at all. We bring in the right characters, first and foremost. We assess the mentality of the player, they’re told exactly what the situation is before they come in so they’re not coming in blind to any situation.
“They know the philosophy of how we work exactly, they know the style in which we operate, they know I will speak and communicate with them and they know the team will change because there will be so many games. It’ll be about the squad.
“The man-management of it is very, very simple – it’s just about communicating and talking with players [and them] recognising and understanding that sometimes it’s difficult not playing when you want to play, but knowing they have a role here and that’s why we brought them to the club.”
