Daniel Sturridge and Glen Johnson Set to Return to Full Liverpool Training

Liverpool duo Daniel Sturridge and Glen Johnson are both on the verge of returning to full training after respective injuries but defender Jon Flanagan faces a length spell out after knee surgery.

Sturridge has been nursing a thigh injury, which he picked up on international duty and forced him to miss both the Premier League defeat to Aston Villa and the Champions League opener against Ludogorets Razgrad, while Johnson has been out since August with a knee problem.

Coupled with the confirmation of Martin Skrtel's recent return to training, Rodgers said both players will train with the Liverpool first team this weekend.

"Martin Skrtel is back training with the team, which is great news for us," he added. "Glen Johnson should be back training over the course of the weekend.

"Daniel Sturridge should hopefully be back training at some point next week."

The England and Liverpool striker was pictured earlier this week training alone at the club's Melwood training ground but is ready to ramp up his return ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on 27 September.

However, the positive news regarding the trio has been offset by the loss of Flanagan for "a few months" following surgery on a knee injury picked up in pre-season.

Although Liverpool have signed Javier Manquillo and Alberto Moreno, Flanagan played an influential role last season but his progress is set to be halted until at least the new year.

"Young Jon Flanagan, unfortunately, has just had an operation that will probably have him out for a few months - which is disappointing," the manager told Liverpoolfc.com at Melwood.

"Joe Allen is still out and he'll be out for a few weeks yet."

Without Sturridge, the Reds looked blunt in attack against Aston Villa and Ludogorets, and Rodgers has called on Philippe Coutinho, who is without a goal since April, to improve his form during a crucial period of the season.

"I've got no qualms about him; he's a big, big talent," he said. "He has lit up the Premier League since he came to the club. He's going to have some games where he won't be at his best, but he always gives his best and that's all I ever ask of the players.

"The kid is a great boy who wants to do well. He's very conscious that I have absolutely no doubts about him."