Live Coverage: Brendan Rodgers's weekly Liverpool press conference

Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Glen Johnson and Mario Balotelli are both fit to play against Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup this weekend.

The Liverpool manager confirmed that Daniel Sturridge will miss out again though, although the striker is nearing a return.

The Reds head into this match just a few days after taking on Chelsea in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final.

Read what else the manager discussed below.

2.26pmAnd on that note, Rodgers bids the Melwood press room a farewell. The manager was very complimentary about his side's opponents and insists that he is taking this competition seriously. So to find out if Liverpool can make it through to round five, join us again on Saturday evening. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.

2.24pmJordan Henderson looks likely to take over as club captain at the end of the season when Steven Gerrard leaves, and the manager says: "The team that brought Henderson to Liverpool knew that he was a good person and a strong character. He will protect his team and colleague. It's not automatic that Jordan will become the captain when Steven goes, but he's vice captain at the moment and when STeven isn't playing he steps in. Fans responds to Jordan."

2.22pmRodgers is confident that his squad will continue to grow in strength: "The beauty of our squad is that we have so many players who have much development ahead of them, are young and still learning, like Coutinho, Sterling and Moreno. The squad needs that time to evolve and work together, but this squad has Premier League winning capabilities. If we can get success in a cup competition this year, it'll give us greater stimulus to stick together, but you always need more quality. Integration of the new players will be complete by the summer, then we can go on and challenge for the league."

2.19pmRodgers is asked how important he sees the FA Cup as this season. He responds: "The FA Cup is up their with our other priorities. This season was always going to be difficult, we weren't going to challenge for the league this year. This season as about getting into the top four, minimising the impact of so many new signing, trying to make them have an impact and win silverware. Next season we will be challenging for the league again."

2.17pmRodgers is asked about his opposite number, Neil Lennon, and the Liverpool manager is full of praise for him: "Neil Lennon was primed and set up after Celtic to manage in the Premier League but unfortunately it didn't work out that way. But he's done a great job at Bolton and it wouldn't surprise me if they got near the playoffs by the end of the season. In the very near future Neil will be in the Premier League either with or without Bolton, he's a good guy and a real thinker."

2.15pmTalking about the fitness of his squad, Rodgers says: "Joe Allen is back in training this week. Glen Johnson has had a good week and is available, Mario Balotelli also. Brad Jones is missing though."

2.14pmTurning his attention to the match, Rodgers tells reporters: "We'll make some changes [to the squad], but we want to win. We'll look at our squad and it's there to make changes, but no too many. Jordan Rossiter will be involved. We have some great young players as the academy has done a wonderful job aligning players to our philosophy."

2.11pmRodgers is asked about the club's contract talks with Raheem Sterling, and he reveals: "The club is speaking to Sterling's representatives. I would think that would be completed very imminently. The player is very happy."

2.09pmBrendan Rodgers starts with an update on Daniel Sturridge's fitness. The manager says. "We're still waiting on working on him, he's not available at the weekend."

2.06pmRight then, the manager is ready to face the media, so let's see what he has to say...

2.03pmWell have live commentaries from a number of this weekend's FA Cup ties, including this one, which kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday.

2.00pmBolton won't make easy opposition for Liverpool. The Championship side have been resurgent under Neil Lennon, with just one defeat in their last six outings.

1.57pmWhile Liverpool's home fans will surely be the dominant voice inside Anfield, Bolton are making sure that they have plenty of support too. Despite just 35 mile separating the club clubs, the Trotters are putting on 60 free coaches for 3,500 away supporters.

1.54pmLiverpool have already been in cup action this week, sharing a 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final time. Raheem Sterling scored the goal for Liverpool in that match, and has said that he is enjoying playing as a striker.

Sterling: "It's a role that I'm adapting to and I want to learn as much as I can. I'm enjoying it at the moment." pic.twitter.com/iOPs3oNcZB

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 22, 2015

1.51pmLiverpool were far from convincing in the third round, edging past League Two's AFC Wimbledon to set up this tie. They're back on home soil for this match though, and will be confident of booking a spot in the fifth round.

1.48pmGood afternoon! Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be talking to the press shortly as his Liverpool side prepare to face Championship opposition in the form of Bolton Wanderers in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Live Coverage: Brendan Rodgers's weekly Liverpool press conference

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