Kenny's reaction to Lucas injury
Kenny Dalglish today admitted Lucas Leiva's injury has come as a blow – but insisted Liverpool have a squad capable of dealing with his absence.
It was confirmed by Liverpoolfc.tv on Thursday afternoon that the Brazil midfielder's season was over after he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during Tuesday's win at Chelsea.
While disappointed by the news, Dalglish is confident he has a number of players at his disposal who can step up to the challenge of replicating Lucas's role within the team.
He told a press conference at Melwood: "It's a huge disappointment for everybody, but more importantly for Lucas.
"He's had the scan, they'll assess it and decide which is the best place for him to go and where he is most comfortable in and then they'll go and do what they have to do.
"He's been playing well for us but it is just part and parcel of football I suppose.
"We'd rather have him there or thereabouts, but we don't have him. We've called Jonjo (Shelvey) back from Blackpool just to give us a bit of cover and we've got plenty of people in and around the place.
"We're not the only club that's got an injury. We've said we've got a strong squad and things like this are unfortunately when you get tested. We've been happy with the squad - I think the results so far reflect that.
"Steven (Gerrard) is still progressing really well, without putting a date on when he'll be back, so we've just got to manage it. At the same time, we've got a great deal of sympathy for Lucas."
Dalglish added: "We've got adequate replacements and if we need somebody we'll have a look, but I don't think we need anybody."
News of Lucas's injury was met with disappointment from all connected with the club.
The No.21 had been in excellent form so far in 2011-12, leading Jamie Carragher to today claim he had been just as influential as Luis Suarez this term.
"I think it states Jamie's opinion," said Dalglish. "Lucas had been playing really well, and we're disappointed for him that he's picked up an injury.
"It's not career threatening - although it's not helpful for ourselves or Lucas - but we've just got to get on with it and accept it.
"Lucas isn't walking about feeling sorry for himself, we can do that - we can feel sorry for him. But we can't feel sorry for ourselves either. We've got plenty of people who won't let us down.
"You saw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night there were a lot of good performances."
He continued: "We'd much rather have him fit than injured, but we've got a strong squad and there are people in the squad who can step in.
"We have to accommodate injuries, suspensions and everything else you get in football. Unfortunately for us, Lucas is at this moment in time injured. We have to accommodate that and handle it."
Having recalled Jonjo Shelvey from Blackpool, one journalist quizzed Dalglish on whether he would consider doing similar with Alberto Aquilani, who is currently on loan at AC Milan.
"I think if you look at the rules you'll find it's not possible," he replied.
Apart from Lucas, Dalglish confirmed he has no fresh injury concerns to contend with ahead of Monday night's trip to Fulham with Steven Gerrard and Jack Robinson Liverpool's only other absentees.
"Everybody seems to be fine," stated the boss.