With the Spaniard out until February after having surgery on his knee, the Anfield boss is looking for cover in defence to ensure his side can still compete for a top four finish

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is targeting defensive reinforcements in January to cope with the loss of injured left-back Jose Enrique.

The Anfield club confirmed the Spanish full-back will on the sidelines until February after undergoing surgery on a knee injury that has limited his first-team opportunities this season.

With only on-loan Aly Cissokho and youngster John Flanagan available to replace the 27-year-old, Rodgers is keen to bolster his ranks once the transfer window reopens in the new year.

“It is certainly something that – if Jose is going to be out for a long time – we would have to look at for sure,” he said.

“We think Jose will be a few months. It is not a long-term one but will be the new year for sure.

“It is not ideal; you would prefer two in there to really be challenging. Jose is clearly one of the best left-backs in the league and to have him out is a blow.”

The defender joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, and has impressed since, and he feels he has proved his worth to his former employers who doubted his ability

Liverpool defender Kolo Toure believes Manchester City must regret sanctioning his departure from the club.

The Ivorian moved to Anfield in the summer having struggled to gain first-team action in his final season at the Etihad Stadium.

Toure has already made eight league starts this season as his new club have climbed to second in the table, and the defender feels he has proven a point to City.

“I was better than certain players at Manchester City but I was left on the bench,” the 32-year-old told The Sun.

“Before I left the club, I told the people in charge that they would regret letting me go. People said I was finished and that I could never get back to my former level.

“But now I am at Liverpool – and I am sure that City must be kicking themselves when they see how I am performing.”

Toure sees similarities between his own situation and the one brother Yaya faced when leaving Barcelona to join City in 2010.

“I have had a similar experience to Yaya,” he added. “Managers come to clubs bringing players with them and they want to pick them at all costs – whether they are any good or not.

“Yaya was much better than Sergio Busquets at Barcelona. But he was behind him in the pecking order and he found that hard to accept.

“I advised him to come to Manchester City while I was still there. He listened to his big brother’s advice – and now he is the big boss on the field for them.”

The Liverpool striker was unable to start Saturday’s Merseyside derby after his exertions during the international break but says that he would never back down from national duty

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has no regrets over his decision to play for England despite being unable to start the Merseyside derby.

The 24-year-old came on as a second-half substitute against Everton on Saturday, clinching a point for the Reds with an 89th-minute header in the 3-3 draw.

Manager Brendan Rodgers was disappointed by Sturridge’s decision to play 90 minutes against Germany on Tuesday but despite upsetting his club boss, the forward says that he would do it all again if given the opportunity.

“For me, regardless of what condition you are in, if you are selected by the England manager, you go out there and do the best you can, regardless of whether you are carrying an injury or not,” the former Chelsea man told reporters.

“The England manager [Roy Hodgson] gave me an opportunity and it’s always a pleasure to put the England shirt on.”

Rodgers confirmed that Sturridge was unable to start because of his condition after returning from international duty, the striker explaining that he was still being troubled by a thigh injury but hopes to prove his fitness and return to the starting line-up against Hull City on Sunday.

“I have been hampered for the past three games,” Sturridge continued. “Since West Brom, when I got the bang, I’ve had blood underneath my muscles in my thigh. It’s still there now. When I shoot from long distance I still feel pain but it’s getting better.

“It’s important that I’m training. I didn’t get to train much when I was away with England – I only trained once before the game.

“I need to get the momentum going and just try to get it right and make sure I’m in the right condition to be able to go out there and do myself justice. I hope I’ll be fit enough to start against Hull next weekend. It would be great to be back in the side.”