Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson will be assessed this week after Brendan Rodgers confirmed today that the pair have picked up groin and hip injuries respectively.

The former was not included in the matchday squad to take on West Ham United on Saturday due to a groin problem and is 'highly unlikely' to feature in the Capital One Cup against Middlesbrough.

Vice-captain Henderson, meanwhile, will have a hip strain monitored as the manager prepares his squad for the visit of the Championship outfit for a third round tie tomorrow evening.

"We just need to assess one or two," Rodgers explained to reporters gathered at Anfield for a pre-match press conference this afternoon.

"Jordan Henderson picked up a knock so we need to assess where he's at. And Philippe Coutinho is highly unlikely for tomorrow as well."

Continuing his update on the options available for selection, the boss outlined how the current situation could provide an opportunity for a number of young players.

"We haven't got any guys returning," he said. "Glen Johnson is still out. Joe Allen and Emre Can aren't fit. Daniel Sturridge won't be fit. Young Jon Flanagan has obviously had his operation.

Daniel Agger insists he left Liverpool because of a rift with Brendan Rodgers and did not feel 'appreciated' by the Reds manager.

The Denmark defender had been a preferred choice of previous Anfield bosses, but he called time on his Reds career after falling out of favour last season.

Agger returned to former club Brondby in the summer after eight years on Merseyside and claimed he could no longer work with Rodgers after a breakdown in their working relationship.

"Let me put it this way, me and the manager were perhaps not on the same page last season. For most of the season at least," he told Danish sports channel TV3 SPORT.

"He and I maybe went wrong with each other because I am very direct. I say things as they are, so I expect people will be the same to me. Maybe it's wrong to expect this sometimes.

"There was much (distance) between us, and for me it was just enough. I felt he didn't appreciate the things I could do and contributed. When I feel that, then it's time to move on.”

Agger was unable to hold down a regular role in the last campaign, despite featuring in some impressive wins, including both Premier League victories over Manchester United.

The 29-year-old Denmark international felt that Rodgers did not value his contribution, forcing him to consider his future.

“When you are a part of the starting 11 for several games in a row and the team have performed well, and you feel that you have played well, then you are left out of the team and don’t feel appreciated, it starts to prey on your mind and you wonder," he said.

“Then at the same time you see the statistics from your game - which are so important all around the world of football - and you don’t understand why you weren’t used more often.”

But Agger still respects the coaching abilities of Rodgers, who so nearly ended the club’s long wait for a league title.

"I think he is an incredibly talented manager. You can't take that away from him. He's good in the way he trains and he is clever in the way he sets the team up. He's an extremely, extremely competent coach," he added.

"The things that went wrong between us is that I say things the way they are and I expect others to treat me the same way. Maybe it is wrong to always expect this.”

Ini penalty or 90min?

Rodgers riding on Suarez's coat tail?

Seems legit.

Experienced and good players can be coached to adapt to a system. Players who are not playing according to the system or instruction can be managed to buck up.

Our new players are good and not inexperienced. That's why I think the coaches and manager have slackened this season.

While the Boro players defend in numbers, they can counter attack in frightening speed and with energy. Our players are slow, even static and certainly are no longer consistently running off the ball, as many of us have pointed out.

Yes, there are a few players who really don't seem up to par so far this season :

- Mignolet : made some dreadful mistakes for an experienced international
- Lambert : one cannot imagine someone playing for his favourite team, having so little passion and energy
- Toure : what can motivate him?
I don't blame Gerrard at all - who doesn't grow older and weaker/slower? It's up to BR to analyse how best to use his strengths (and Gerrard still has lots) and pre-empt situations where his weaknesses may be exploited.

So I feel, after these 7 games, I'd say : Hey BR, wake up man!!!

Well, how often has he given it a go? I can't be 100% sure but I think the Liverpool players were already in/around the box marking the most obvious of threats.

But yes, they were sitting quite deep towards the end, but I guess the pressure of winning a derby game at home made them nervous.