Dalglish plays down Lucas injury

The Scot has to contend with being without his defensive midfielder for the rest of the season. And while the Brazil international has been key to most of what has been good about the side this season - and last - Dalglish is confident the quality of the team will absorb the loss.

"Every role is important," said the Reds boss "Lucas has had a fair bit of credit and there is not much more we can add to what has happened to him. The (defensive midfield) role is important but every single person in the team has an important role to play. We will make our decisions but we won't disclose how we will solve our problems."

Academy graduate and former reserve team captain Jay Spearing would appear to be the most likely replacement as he shares many of the same attributes as the injured Brazilian.

Spearing deputised for the injured Steven Gerrard at the end of last season and Dalglish rates the 24-year-old, having given him a proper first-team chance when he replaced Roy Hodgson as manager in January.

Another option would be to play summer signing Jordan Henderson in his favoured central position, while Jonjo Shelvey has been recalled from a loan spell at Blackpool as cover.

"We are not going to start dancing on someone's grave; at the end of the day the boy (Lucas) is injured but we have adequate replacements there," said Dalglish, who ruled out a recall for Alberto Aquilani, on loan at AC Milan.

"Jay has done really well since I came in here and we do trust him.

"We believe in him and we will stand by them (the players) as long as they go out there and give what they have to give."

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Source: PA