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Sterling to Miss Tottenham Match with Foot Injury

Brendan Rodgers insisted Raheem Sterling was fit to face Tottenham, but instead it appears the young attacker will only be able to watch from the sidelines with a foot injury suffered against Everton set to keep him out.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Early reports had Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, and Adam Lallana all doubts to face Tottenham along with confirmed absence Lucas Leiva, out for at least the next month with a thigh injury. At his pre-match press conference, though, Brendan Rodgers quickly rubbished the thought, insisting all three were fit and ready to start against Spurs.

It turns out those initial reports may have been closer to the truth than Rodgers’ later statements, as the BBC’s Ben Smith is reporting that Raheem Sterling will not be in the lineup tonight following a foot injury suffered late on against Everton. It’s a big blow for Liverpool, and one that means Daniel Sturridge is almost certain to now start, but the Liverpool manager should have options.

Or at least Rodgers will have options if Coutinho and Lallana are available, as along with the returning Lazar Markovic and young Jordon Ibe the manager would have four players to choose from for the two attacking midfield positions in the 3-4-2-1. One of Markovic and Ibe will also be expected to take on the right wingback role, while Steven Gerrard seems likely to be kept on the bench as an impact sub.

Sterling has been important to Liverpool’s improved form of late, but with Sturridge returning to action the blow of his absence should at least be lessened.

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