The Liverpool boss says the Spaniard has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury and will now need an operation which could mean a lengthy spell on the sidelines

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that defender Jose Enrique is set to undergo a knee operation.

The Spanish left-back came off the bench in the 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Fulham before the international break after being sidelined since the victory over Crystal Palace in October.

However, Enrique has suffered a setback and Rodgers has expressed his frustration at losing the former Newcastle man once again.

“Jose Enrique has been struggling for a little while with an injury,” he told talkSPORT.

“He will probably need an operation. It’s a blow for us because he’s a very talented player.”

Liverpool return to Premier League action with a mouth-watering Merseyside derby clash against Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The early kick-off on Saturday sees the two giant rivals of Merseyside meet, with Hugh Wilson backing the man-of-the-moment to net again

Liverpool travel across Stanley Park this weekend to face Everton in the Premier League with both sides having fantastic starts to the season.

After the international break, both teams will be eager to continue their assault on the European positions this season, with only three points separating the two of them and without the worry of continental competitions to distract them.

Liverpool thrashed a poor Fulham side last time out, with the Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge partnership striking again to keep the Reds in second position in the Premier League.

However, it hasn’t been all plain sailing Brendan Rodgers’ side, with their away form costing them valuable points.

From the six away matches they’ve played this season, they have managed only two wins, with Arsenal convincingly beating them 2-0 on their last away day. BetVictor price them as favourites at 6/4 (2.50) to take all three points in this match, though.

Everton come into this match unbeaten in their last four, conceding only one goal. Roberto Martinez has certainly made an impression since joining the club, making them a side very tough to beat. The Toffees have only been on the losing side once in the league so far this season, with Manchester City beating them 3-1.

Everton haven’t beaten Liverpool in a Merseyside derby since 2010, but will come into this match in confident mood. BetVictor price them at 2/1 (3.00) to win. The same firm price the draw at 12/5 (3.40).

With both sides playing impressive football this season, it’s tough to back which side will take all three points. A bet that does stand out, though, is Liverpool’s star striker Suarez to net at anytime.

The Uruguay international has a deadly record against Everton, scoring three in his last four games against the Toffees, and with the striker missing out the last time these two sides met due to a suspension, he will be keen to make his mark on the game. BetVictor are a standout price at 31/20 (2.55) and that looks well worth backing.

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The Northern Irishman believes the Uruguayan striker has acknowledged his recent wrong-doings and is now firmly committed to the Merseyside club after courting interest in summer

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he has become a better manager as a result of dealing with the Reds’ controversial striker Luis Suarez.

The Uruguay international incurred a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic last season, before angling for a move away from Anfield throughout the summer.

Rodgers was praised for his handling of the testing situation and admits he learned a lot, while he also believes Suarez is now firmly committed to Liverpool.

“Seventeen months on, I’m a much better manager for that experience,” said the former Swansea boss.

“Some of the things Suarez has done, he knows were wrong. Some of them have been really testing situations as a manager. There’ve been some challenging moments.

“There’s no club bigger than Liverpool. Luis now respects that decision because he’s very happy here, and improving all the time.”

Despite missing the first five games of the season through suspension, Suarez has netted eight times and is the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer alongside team-mate Daniel Sturridge and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.