Liverpool injury news: Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren out of Aston Villa game

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren are going to miss the game against Aston Villa on 26 September due to injuries, but Daniel Sturridge is back in the squad.

The Merseysiders host Tim Sherwood's side with the boss under pressure following a poor start to the campaign, having secured just eight points from the first six Premier League games and being unable to win a game since the second match against Bournemouth.

And Rodgers' side will have to face the challenge without their two biggest signings of the summer as both Benteke and Firmino are unavailable for selection. The Belgium international striker suffered a hamstring injury during the draw against Norwich City last weekend and according to ESPN FC is expected to be out of action for up to two weeks.

Rodgers, however, refused to put a date for his return while suggesting Danny Ings' recent good form can help him to cover his absence – with Daniel Sturridge also available after being left out of the squad during the game against Carlisle.

"Christian will probably be out for a little bit of time," Rodgers confirmed at the press conference ahead of the game. "We'll await those guys coming back. There's no timeline on Christian and the others – we'll see how they go over the coming weeks."

Speaking about Sturridge, he said: "We're nurturing him. He had a good hour or so during our last game in the league. We've just got to manage him back into the games. But it's great to see him on the training field and the pitch and obviously he'll be available for tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Firmino and Lovren will also miss the game after being substituted during Liverpool's penalty shoot-out victory over Carlisle on 23 September due to injuries. Gary McAllister calmed fears over serious injuries after the game but Rodgers has now claimed that the Brazilian may have cracked a bone in his back while Lovren will be on the sidelines for a few weeks with ankle ligament damage.

"Young Firmino landed awkwardly in the game the other night and there is another scan on his back, but he may have cracked a bone in his back. We'll see how he'll be over the coming weeks, but certainly he'll be unavailable for tomorrow," he said. "And Dejan Lovren will be out for probably a few weeks with his ligament injury. So, unfortunately, those three are unavailable."

Rodgers is also without Jordan Henderson after the captain recently underwent surgery for a broken metatarsal, being ruled out for about eight weeks.

"We have Jordan Henderson out as well, so you've got some really important players that are unavailable for us," he added. But we'll manage it. The players that are selectable really want to play and fight for the team.