Liverpool: Brendan Rodgers admits Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli doubtful for FA Cup semifinal clash

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that striker Daniel Sturridge has suffered a hip injury and is a doubt for the Reds' weekend clash against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The English striker has had an injury ravaged season and has started just seven games for Liverpool in the Premier League this season. The Merseyside club have missed his goals and the manager will be keen to get him fit as they look to book a place in the finals of the cup competition.

The Northern Irishman has had to rely on Raheem Sterling to lead the line in Sturridge's absence, as his backup strikers Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert are woefully out of form and have managed just three goals between them the entire season.

Sterling has done a good job for his team thus far, despite having off-field controversies and proved that yet again when he scored Liverpool's opening goal in their 2-0 win over Newcastle United on 13 April.

Rodgers is hopeful that Sturridge can recover and admitted that it will be clearer during the course of the week if he will be available for their clash at Wembley on 19 April.

Apart from the England international, Balotelli has also missed the last few games, and the manager revealed that the Italian was ill ahead of their game at St James' Park and believes that he should return to training during the week.

"Daniel Sturridge was injured from the Blackburn game and he just wasn't right for tonight. It's his hip, but hopefully he'll be okay for the weekend," Rodgers said, as quoted on Liverpool's official site.

"I'll probably know more in the week. He said he feels reasonably fine, so we're hoping by the middle of the week we'll have a good indication of where he's at."

"He wasn't quite fit enough for tonight, so hopefully he'll train in the middle of the week. He's had on and off sickness issues," the former Swansea City boss added.

Rodgers also confirmed earlier reports regarding the extent of defender Mamadou Sakho's injury after the defender limped off during their FA Cup clash against Blackburn Rovers.

"Three to four weeks, probably," the Reds boss concluded.