Liverpool striker Christian Benteke to be assessed before Merseyside derby

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Christian Benteke will face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Reds for a reported £32.5m fee from Aston Villa in the summer, has been absent from his side's last three games due to a hamstring injury.

While there has been no confirmation that Benteke will play a part at Goodison Park, Rodgers has hinted that the Belgian has a chance to return to action.

"There is no real change to the squad," Rodgers told reporters in this morning's press conference. "We obviously had one or two knocks [against Sion]. We are seeing how Christian Benteke is over the course of the next 24 hours. Apart from that, the squad will be pretty much the same as the Aston Villa game."

So far in the top flight, Liverpool have recorded three victories, two draws and two defeats.