Daniel Agger: Not ready to return against Arsenal

Agger has been sidelined for the last month after picking up a calf strain in the FA Cup win over Oldham, while Sakho is still struggling with a hamstring problem suffered in the defeat at Chelsea at the end of December.

The injuries to the duo have stretched the Reds' defensive options, with Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson also currently on the sidelines with long-term problems.

Rodgers says Agger and Sakho are not far off returning, but concedes this weekend's showdown with the league leaders at Anfield will come too soon for the central defensive pairing.

"Daniel and Mamadou are not far off, but I'm not expecting to have either of them back for the weekend," Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo.

"They are not back in full training yet. Daniel will be back at some stage next week so he's progressing really well.

"But Sakho is still a bit away from coming back training."