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Live Coverage: Brendan Rodgers's weekly Liverpool press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers's press conference ahead of his side's match against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.
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Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge and Mamadou Sakho will both miss this weekend's Premier League match against West Bromwich Albion.

The Liverpool manager did say that Adam Lallana is in contention to return though.

Rodgers also spoke about Jordan Henderson's new long-term contract with the club.

Read what else the manager discussed below.


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Good afternoon! Brendan Rodgers will be talking to the media shortly as he prepares his side for a trip to The Hawthorns to face Tony Pulis's West Bromwich Albion this weekend.

It's already been a busy day for Liverpool, they've announced that vice-captain Jordan Henderson has agreed a new long-term contract with the club.

In more positive news for the Reds, Adam Lallana has said that he expects to be included in the squad for this weekend's match. He told the club's website: "I had a groin issue. I've had a couple of them this season, but I'm back on top of it now, which is good. I'm back fit now, 100% and have trained the last two days. It was frustrating as I had a bit of a recurrence of it before the Arsenal game, maybe due to being a little bit too eager to get back."

It's been a mixed month results-wise for Liverpool, with losses to Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa overshadowing a 2-0 victory over Newcastle. Rodgers's side still have to play league leaders Chelsea before the end of the season, but the rest of their remaining matches come against sides below them in the table.

As with all Premier League fixtures, we'll bring you live updates from this match from an hour before kickoff, as well as team news, post-match reaction and player ratings, so make sure you're with us on Saturday afternoon.

Rodgers could also face questions about his future, with Jurgen Klopp's announcement that he will be leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season fuelling speculation that the German could replace Rodgers at the end of the campaign.

While we wait for the manager, he's wait Jordan Henderson had to say on Instagram after signing his new contract:


This summer's transfer window could also be a topic of discussion this afternoon, with Martin Skrtel and Rickie Lambert among those being linked with a move away from Anfield this summer, with Yannick Bolasie and Rui Patricio among those being linked with a move to Liverpool.

A win for Liverpool this weekend would leave them just four points adrift of Manchester City in fourth placed. Liverpool have been inconsistent on the road this season though, losing six of their 15 matches away from Anfield so far this season.

Right then, the manager is in place, so let's see what he has to say this week...

Understandably, Henderson's new contract is the first topic of discussion. The manager says: "Obviously we're delighted. It's great news for the club, and for Jordan. He's going to spend the best part of his career at Liverpool, and he's a big part of the plan going forward."

On Henderson and Raheem Sterling's futures at the club, Rodgers says: "With the likes of Jordan and Raheem, I've always said they have been very important players for us. It's important to the model of the club that they stay. Jordan will go onto the next phase. With Raheem coming into the team, hopefully we'll get that sorted soon."

Rodgers is asked about the speculation linking Klopp with his job, and he responds: "At a club like Liverpool, there'll be many names mentioned, that's the marker of being at such a huge and respected club. There's absolutely no problem if that happens, if you lose a couple of games, there'll always be people linked to the club."

Rodgers admits that his side may have overachieved last season: "With all due respect, we've lost these players, and we've brought some in to develop the squad. At this moment we sit in fifth, we've reached two cup semi-finals, it's probably on part with where we're at. If you take the emotion out of last weekend, this is a team that probably overachieved last year."

Turning his attention to this weekend's match, Rodgers says on Pulis: "An outstanding manager, who knows the game, knows the job inside out and maximises the players that he's got."

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Rodgers says: "We want to finish the season strong, and bring that momentum into next season. We have to be there and fighting [for Champions League qualification]. These games are very important for us."

Rodgers is asked about Steven Gerrard's reaction to last weekend's loss, saying: "It was very much a collective effort, that was the objective. Like us all, he's very disappointed, but he went and continued to prepare himself for the rest of the season with the same attitude."

Rodgers backs his players to turn it around after their Wembley disappointment: "There's no-one more disappointed that them. We were very static, no movement, no penetration, but I stand by the players, they're a great group, they're maxmising what they're giving. I can't fault the players for what they give."

On this weekend's opponents, Rodgers says: "It's a tough game, Tony's got them well organised, they don't give away too much space. It's important for us to go there with the motivation and look to perform, but we respect it'll be difficult."

On his squad's fitness, Rodgers confirms that Sturridge and Sakho will both miss the match, but Lallana could feature.

Rodgers insists that his side are pushing to be the best: "This is a club with ambition, that's why we have to strive to be the best. We want to be winners. I'm motivated to make sure we progress and make the next step."

That's all from Rodgers this week, so join us again on Saturday to see if Liverpool can cut the gap to fourth place. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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Joe Allen of Liverpool shoots past Michael Williamson of Newcastle United to score their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield on April 13, 2015
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