The new €32 million signing is now expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks after damaging ligaments in training, ruling him out of a return to former side Southampton

New Liverpool signing Adam Lallana will miss the start of the new Premier League season after suffering a knee injury in training.

The midfielder moved to Anfield for a €32 million fee after representing England at the World Cup but damaged his lateral collateral ligament on Friday.

Lallana is now expected to be sidelined for “up to six weeks”, likely ruling him out of Liverpool’s first game of the season against former side Southampton.

“Lallana has been assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff and does not require surgery,” a club statement read.”

“No specific timeframe has been placed on a return to fitness, but injuries of this nature can result in a spell of anywhere up to six weeks on the sidelines.

“The England international will undergo further assessment by the club’s medical team in the United States and on return to Liverpool.”

The Reds skipper has one year left on his current contract but, after retiring from international football on Monday, reports suggest that the midfielder will renew until 2016

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers expects the club to tie up a new deal for captain Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder is set to enter the last season of his present deal but reports suggest that he could pen an extension until 2016.

Gerrard retired from international duty with England on Monday and Rodgers reiterated his belief that the 34-year-old will extend his domestic career as a result.

“I am very happy that Steven is now going to commit to Liverpool and I am sure that [his contract] is something that we will look at,” he told the press.

“He is in really good condition and I’m sure it is something that will happen at some point.

“Listen, for his own mind, I’m sure he will want it sorted out, absolutely. You never want to leave players with not too long to go on their contract.

“A lot has gone on at the club over the course of the summer. It is something I am sure will get sorted.

“I know he can continue to play beyond this season. I have always said that. Now he doesn’t have international football, he will have that freshness.”

Rodgers also added that there is no update on the future of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who spent last term on loan at Serie A side Napoli.

“He’s back in training. Pepe made it clear last year where he is at,” he added. “He is working well and there has been no real conversation as yet. He is just working hard to get fit and we will see what happens over the next few weeks.”

With the club’s budget boosted by €88 million following the striker’s exit to Barcelona, the manager will only pay what he sees fit for players who buy into his philosophy

Brendan Rodgers is adamant that Liverpool will not be held to ransom by other clubs as he looks to complete “strategic signings” and not just big-name players.

The Reds have been linked with several players in the close-season and have already spent around €75 million for Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and Rickie Lambert.

Suarez has left for Barcelona for €88m, giving Liverpool more money to spend should they choose to, but Rodgers insists that he will refuse to buy players should they be overpriced.

“If clubs sense there is an opportunity to get more out of us, it won’t happen,” he told reporters. “We are very unified in how we work in that way. We have a value for a player and most clubs have been sensible.

“There has been a lot of work. There’s hardly been a break for the staff over the off season, flying through Europe, speaking with players and looking at targets.

“But generally the prices we’ve paid was the value we put on them. I would not want the club to pay more than a value just to get someone in.”

Rodgers recently revealed that the money gained from the departure of Suarez is yet to be touched despite heavy investment already this summer and having been linked with the likes of Arturo Vidal and Marco Reus.

But the manager says that the club will only sign players who will improve the squad rather than blindly going for “names” and feels no obligation to empty the coffers during the transfer window.

“Our signings are strategic signings. They are not just names,” Rodgers added. “They must all fit into the purpose of the team but, of course, we want them to make a contribution. If that means we do not spend all the money or the net spend is the same then so be it.

“The character is important. It is not just about the player but the right type of person. I want players that are committed to the cause to make Liverpool the best they can be. I want players resting when they should be resting, training hard and working hard and focusing on their life as footballers.

“The types we have brought in are those types, as well as those we already have in the squad who have been brilliant. It is footballing qualities and also human qualities we want.”