Daniel Sturridge is set for a spell on the sidelines but his manager believes the work the club did in the summer means they are able to cover for any player becoming unavailable

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers feel his busy transfer window means they have the depth to cover several injury problems.

Striker Daniel Sturridge suffered a thigh strain on England duty and is expected to miss three weeks, while Emre Can (ankle) and Joe Allen (knee) also picked up injuries in the recent international break.

Defensive trio Martin Skrtel and Jon Flanagan (both knee) and Glen Johnson (thigh) are also sidelined.

But Rodgers bought nine senior players in during the window and is convinced the likes of Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana, Alberto Moreno and Javier Manquillo can step in.

“We’ve been unfortunate,” Rodgers told The Liverpool Echo.

“Dan had started the season very well. His performance against Tottenham was excellent.

“He didn’t score but his pressing, his positional play, his speed, movement and hold up play was first class.

“He will be missed but we’ve got a long season ahead and the important thing now is to get him physically right.

“This [injuries] is why it was so important to strengthen the squad during the transfer window.

“We have options now and that’s key for us. We had a great window in terms of the calibre of players we brought in.

“We signed young players with quality and some with more experience as that’s what we needed.”

Balotelli, signed from AC Milan for €20 million, is set to make his Anfield debut for the club against Aston Villa on Saturday, despite illness restricting his involvement this week.

Rodgers said: “Mario has had a bit of a bug that we wanted to make sure he didn’t spread around the group.

“But he’ll be okay for Saturday. I think he has felt the warmth of the club since he’s been here and I’m sure he will look forward to playing at Anfield.

“He isn’t the only one. The same goes for the likes of Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana who will also be involved.”

The mercurial Italian could well lead the line alone in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, who sustained a thigh injury on England duty and is out of action for three weeks

Mario Balotelli is in line to make his Anfield debut when Liverpool take on Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Italian – signed from AC Milan for £16 million last month – could even lead the line alone for Brendan Rodgers’ side in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, who suffered a thigh injury on England duty and is expected to be out of action for three weeks.

With Martin Skrtel (knock), Glen Johnson, Jon Flanagan (both thigh) and Emre Can (ankle) also on Liverpool’s growing injury list, Aston Villa may well benefit from the timing of their visit to a ground where they are unbeaten in their last three matches.

Paul Lambert’s men have picked up seven points from their first three Premier League matches this season, conceding only one goal in the process, and Rodgers insists he will not be taking Saturday’s opponents lightly.

“They’ve started well,” the Reds boss told reporters. “I’m pleased for Paul because he’s gone in and looked to bring in young players.

“The first season was difficult but now they’ve done well. It’s been a tough game for us in the last couple of years.”

One man with a particular point to prove on the Villa side may well be Aly Cissokho, who spent last season on loan at Liverpool without distinction.

“Of course, when you play against your last team it is a special occasion,” he told Villa’s official website. “It should be a big atmosphere and it is going to be good to face my old team-mates.

“I hope we are going to keep going like we have been over the past few weeks and continue our good form. This year we have started well. We are confident. We haven’t lost any games yet.

“We are focused in our work. We just need to do what we have done in the last three league games and be strong defensively. It is going to be a good occasion.

“It would be good to keep that success going.”

On-loan Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley could also make his Villa debut and Lambert will be hoping captain Ron Vlaar (calf) is passed fit.

Villa were also buoyed this week by Gabriel Agbonlahor’s decision to sign a new four-year contract, and fans will be on tenterhooks to see if Christian Benteke’s ongoing return to fitness results in a spot in the matchday squad.

The goalkeeper believes the Spain striker will bring a better all-round game to the club they both joined in the summer

AC Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez believes Fernando Torres will be a more useful player for the team than Mario Balotelli.

The Rossoneri opted to cash in on Italy international Balotelli this summer as they sold him to Liverpool for €20 million, before signing Torres from Chelsea on a loan deal.

Lopez – who also moved to San Siro in the summer transfer window – claims his compatriot will bring far stronger characteristics to the club than the former Manchester City and Inter striker.

“He’s a great signing. We’re talking about a player who has done amazing things, who has experience, speed, and will be important. Balotelli? Torres will be more useful as he has shown the characteristics needed to win,” he told Milan Channel.

Lopez also admitted that he did not hesitate to join Milan after listening to Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti extol the virtues of the Serie A club.

“There are many similarities with Real, we’re talking about two big clubs at every level of infrastructure. I’m getting to know the city and my team-mates and settling in. Hopefully everything will go well,” said the 32-year-old.

“I jumped at the opportunity [to join]. Ancelotti and [former goalkeeper Villiam] Vecchi have spoken glowingly about this club and their words absolutely match the reality.

“Now we can compete with everyone, we just have to keep on working well.”