Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has issues to contend with in central midfield ahead of a difficult trip to Tottenham this weekend.

Captain Steven Gerrard's hamstring injury, sustained in Saturday's 4-1 win over West Ham, could sideline him for up to six weeks.

Fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson has bruising on his right ankle from the tackle by Kevin Nolan which resulted in the Hammers skipper being sent off and has been wearing a protective boot to ease the pressure on the joint.

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However, the 23-year-old is expected to be ready for the game at White Hart Lane which is also likely to see Lucas Leiva recalled in place of Gerrard having been dropped to the bench last weekend.

With Henderson, Allen and Lucas all expected to start against Tottenham that leaves little in the way of back up.

Summer signing Luis Alberto, who has made only seven substitute appearances in the Premier League totalling 113 minutes, is the only other player who could possibly do a job in the centre but he is more comfortable in an attacking role.

Central midfield, particularly in terms of defensive capabilities, is an area Rodgers has needed to strengthen and he may have to look at addressing that when the January transfer window opens.

Allen has now started back-to-back league matches for the first time since December 15 last year and is beginning to start showing a return to the sort of form which persuaded Rodgers to bring him with him from Swansea in the summer of 2012 at a cost of £15million.

"I've struggled with different injury problems but you'd hope that they're behind me now and I can focus on getting out there and playing more and more," Allen told liverpoolfc.com.

"The manager has just told me to be ready for when my opportunity comes and to get back to my best. That will come with game time. Nothing has changed really.

"But everything comes together with playing time, so I'm looking to getting a string of games and showing what I can do."

PA

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