Dalglish - Squad to be tested

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes his squad need to rise to the challenge of coping without Lucas Leiva.

Liverpool boss hopes his squad can cope without Lucas

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes his squad need to rise to the challenge of coping without midfielder Lucas Leiva. The Brazilian has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage against Chelsea in the Carling Cup in midweek. The 24-year-old has been an influential part of the Reds' squad in the last 18 months and has played a significant part in the club being inside the top six in the Premier League. Steven Gerrard has also had a disrupted season, playing just five games in all competitions and Dalglish is refusing to put a date on the 31-year-old's return. The Reds play against Fulham on Monday evening, with Jay Spearing likely to continue in the first team in Lucas' absence.

Using the squad

Dalglish said: "We're not the only club who has an injury which means we have to fulfil our obligations by using the squad. "He has been playing really well. We are disappointed he has picked up an injury but it is not career-threatening. "Lucas is not moping about feeling sorry for himself. We can do that, we can feel sorry for him. "But we cannot feel sorry for ourselves and we have plenty of people who can have a go and won't let us down. "You saw at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night there were a lot of really good performances. "It is at times like this you are tested but we have been happy with the squad and the results we have had reflect that."