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Brendan Rodgers says he will resist the temptation to move Emre Can into midfield after Liverpool FC's worst fears were realised over Lucas Leiva's thigh injury.

Scan results have revealed that Lucas will be out for four to six weeks after he limped out of Saturday's goalless derby with Everton.

Losing the Brazil international for such an extended period is a major blow for the Reds with the 28-year-old having played such a key role in the club's recent resurgence.

Lucas could miss as many as six Premier League games as well as the FA Cup tie with Crystal Palace and the Europa League clash with Besiktas.

Joe Allen came off the bench to replace him at Goodison and the Welshman looks set to be handed his first league start since mid-December when the Reds face Tottenham at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Pushing Can from centre-back into midfield is an option for Rodgers but the manager wants to keep a settled backline.

Germany Under-21s international Can has been a composed presence at the back in recent weeks and has helped Liverpool keep four successive league clean sheets ahead of the vital clash with top-four rivals Spurs.

“Lucas has been very important for us but there will be an opportunity for someone else,” Rodgers said.

“Eventually, Can will be a player who plays further forwards and there might be games when I do think that but you also have to remember the balance of the team as well, which is very good at the moment.

“It’s four clean sheets in a row and defensively we have been very strong.

“With Emre you can see the importance of his role and the position he plays in there. He was immense at the weekend in a real physical game.

“Why disrupt that and try and fix something that could actually create another problem? The balance of the team is fine at the moment.”

Adam Lallana could return to the side after overcoming the groin problem which forced him to miss the derby. Rodgers also expects Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho to be passed fit.

Youngster Jordon Ibe will be hoping to make his first Premier League start at Anfield since May 2013 after his eye-catching display against Everton.

The 19-year-old played right wing-back at Goodison but Rodgers says he could utilise his talents elsewhere in the 3-4-2-1 formation.

“If you look at the system we are playing now Jordon can play in any one of the front five positions,” he said.

“Either side, in behind or through the middle and that’s one of the big reasons we brought him back (from Derby).

“He is a really talented footballer with a bright football brain and he can play in any one of those.

“I think his favourite position - and that’s what you’ve always got to look at - is that he is a player who wants to be wide and set up the duel in a one v one and his positioning is great for that. It gives him the freedom to go inside and outside.

“For the way I want to work it’s important to have that versatility because what it can do is keep your squad tight and small and give people opportunities to play.

“You need specialists and players who are brilliant in a position for sure, but I like to have a small squad of players that are multi-functional, can understand the game tactically and allow me the flexibility to change systems freely in a game or at the beginning of a game.”

Liverpool have won their last three meetings with Tottenham by a combined score of 12-0. The Reds' next goal will be their 4,000th in all top-flight league games at Anfield.