Liverpool injury news: Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren ruled out for Aston Villa clash

Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow ahead of their game against Aston Villa on Saturday, 26 September with Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren set to miss the clash. Benteke suffered a hamstring injury during their Premier League clash against Norwich City, while Firmino and Lovren suffered injuries during the Reds' hard-fought victory over Carlisle in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday (23 September) night. It is likely that the trio will also be ruled out for the club's Europa League tie against FC Sion on Thursday, 1 October.

According to ESPN FC, the Belgian striker faces up to two weeks out after scans revealed a hamstring injury, which is likely to see him miss the Merseyside Derby along with the Anfield outfit's Europa League clash against FC Sion. Benteke's absence will hand Danny Ings the opportunity to continue his run in the first-team, which has seen him score two goals in as many games.

Firmino and Lovren were both substituted during Liverpool's penalty shootout victory over Carlisle, and despite Gary McAllister calming fears regarding the duo's injury following the game, it is believed that both of them will be out for the weekend clash against Villa. Firmino has already been withdrawn from the Brazil squad for October's World Cup qualifiers, with Ricardo Oliveira replacing the former Hoffenheim forward.

"Ricardo Oliveira, the top goalscorer in the Brazilian league with 17 goals, was called up by Brazil coach Dunga. The Santos striker will take the place of Liverpool striker Firmino, who was released because of injury," the CBF said in a statement, as quoted by the Guardian.

Lovren, on the other hand, was stretchered off during the second half of extra time with what looked like a suspected broken ankle, and according to the Liverpool Echo, the defender, who had finally managed to nail down a place in the starting XI, could be facing a two-month spell on the sidelines with ankle ligament damage.

This will come as a big blow to Brendan Rodgers, who is under tremendous pressure after a poor start to the season yet again. He is also without skipper Jordan Henderson, who has been ruled out for around eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a broken metatarsal.