Dalglish faces tough test as Reds look to life after Lucas

LIVERPOOL manager Kenny Dalglish admits the club will be tested by the absence of injured midfielder Lucas Leiva.

The Brazil international’s season has been curtailed by a cruciate knee ligament injury sustained in the Carling Cup quarter-final win over Chelsea in midweek.

Lucas has been one of the Reds’ best players over the last two seasons and in the last fortnight, in particular, the 24-year-old has shown his worth with impressive performances against Chelsea in both the Premier League and Carling Cup wins and also in the 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City last Sunday.