Liverpool Manager Brendan Rodgers: Fabio Borini 'Could Feature' Against Newcastle United

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is still without five members of his first-team squad but has suggested he will reward Fabio Borini with a starting role for the visit of Newcastle United.

The Reds' last Premier League outing ended in more frustration as they were held to a 0-0 draw to Hull City on Saturday 25 October.

But Mario Balotelli and Dejan Lovren struck late to seal their side's place in the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday 28 October in the dramatic win over Swansea City, providing some respite for the club.

Although he refused to be drawn into speculation surrounding Daniel Sturridge's injury problems, Suso, Jon Flanagan and Mamadou Sakho remain unavailable, but Rodgers is hopeful Tuesday's win will have added some much-needed momentum to their season.

"We will go into the game with big confidence. The other night we played as well as we have all season," Rodgers told a press conference.

"With Daniel Sturridge out, it is a miss but it gives opportunities to others. Fabio Borini was outstanding the other night."

Rodgers also confirmed full-back Jose Enrique is on the sidelines with a knee problem.

One player unlikely to have solidified his place in the Liverpool starting line-up is Lazar Markovic. The £20m signing provided another indifferent performance at Anfield midweek but Rodgers insists the Serbian's initial performances will have little bearing on the big future the club envisage for him.

"We brought young Markovic in for the longer term. We have confidence he will become a big player for us," Rodgers added.

Meanwhile, Newcastle enter the fixture on Saturday 1 November having secured huge victories away to Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City in the past four days.

Rodgers said: "I know Alan [Pardew] is a class manager but I know the pressure he has been under. Great credit to the directors at Newcastle. We all know the pressures when you're not winning games.

"Pardew is very experienced."