Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Joe Allen will play no part in Liverpool's game against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon as the midfielder continues to recover from a knee problem.

The Reds squad departed for the north east this afternoon - but Allen, who picked up an injury last month, will not feature against the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light.

The midfielder, who was last in action for Liverpool during the 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford on December 14, returned to light training at Melwood this week.

"Joe is working outside now and hopefully over the course of the next week or so he will be ready to rejoin the group," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"He's had an issue with his knee for most of the season. He came back well initially but it's been a niggling injury for him. He came on in the game away to Leicester and hurt it again in a tackle.

"We want to make sure that when he comes back he's right, rather than still feeling the effects which then hinders his performance."