Liverpool have been hit with a double injury blow with the news that both Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger are expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Both players returned from international duty in midweek with foot injuries and scans have confirmed they have suffered a stress fracture of their metatarsal.

Club spokesman Ian Cotton told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Neither player will require surgery but we expect them to be out of action for between four and six weeks.

"Xabi Alonso has suffered a stress fracture to the 4th metatarsal in his left foot and Daniel Agger has suffered a stress fracture to the 2nd metatarsal in his right foot."

The news means both players are likely to miss a number of Barclays Premier League and Champions League matches, including fixtures against Birmingham, Wigan, Tottenham, Everton and Marseille.

Bad news to lose both but Id say Agger is the bigger loss

Rafael Benitez today admitted the Reds have been left short defensively following the injury to Daniel Agger.
Agger will be out of action for at least the next four weeks after picking up a foot injury on international duty, leaving Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia as the only experienced central defenders at the club.

"We knew this was a position we could have most problems if we suffered injuries," said Benitez.

"We will be okay if Carra and Sami can stay fit, but we know if there are any more difficulties we will have more problems. Hopefully that will not be the case.

"Jack Hobbs will train with the first team and we will see how he progresses. Arbeloa also has experience at centre-half if we need him."

Benitez will also be without Xabi Alonso - another metatarsal victim - for the forseeable future and he doesn't expect either player to be fit until towards the end of next month.

"Even if they are fit again in four weeks, they will not have trained so they wouldn"t be ready," he added.