Sturridge injury worries Liverpool manager
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers fears Liverpool will struggle to replace the firepower of injured striker Daniel Sturridge after seeing his side beaten 3-1 by Hull City at the KC Stadium.
England international Sturridge has been ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering ligament damage to his left ankle in training last week and didn't play at Hull.
He is Liverpool's top scorer this season, with 11 goals, and the highest scorer in the Premier League in 2013, with 19 goals to his name.
Rodgers also revealed Brazilian Philippe Coutinho is suffering with an ankle strain and had injections to ensure he was fit enough to be named as a substitute against Hull.
"The quality of our squad, with all due respect, isn't big enough to cope with missing two big players," Rodgers insisted.
"Daniel's out for what could be eight weeks, which is a big blow for us.
"Philippe didn't train all week. He's had an ankle strain and has had to have injections just to get on the bench.
"They're two very good players that have been very efficient for us this season."
Jake Livermore, the midfielder on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, gave Hull the lead in the 20th minute with a deflected drive from 20 yards before Steven Gerrard equalised with a free-kick seven minutes later.
David Meyler put Hull 2-1 ahead midway through the second half before Martin Skrtel headed Tom Huddlestone's chipped shot into his own net with three minutes left to seal the home side's victory.
The defeat left Liverpool seven points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Rodgers challenged the rest of his forwards to fill the void and keep Liverpool in the title hunt.
"This is a very busy period we're coming into," said the Northern Irishman.
"We're a squad that needs as many of our good players as possible. It's a big blow for us.
"We've got other players that will hopefully come in and stake their claim now," he added.
"The front area of the pitch has been reasonably settled with our big players but this will give someone else an opportunity to come in.
"This little period now will test us."
