Rodgers ready for ‘massive lift’ from Suarez

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers hopes the “massive lift” the impending return of suspended striker Luis Suarez will bring can offset the loss of creative midfielder Philippe Coutinho.

The 21-year-old Brazilian yesterday had surgery on a shoulder injury sustained in Monday’s draw at Swansea and is expected to be sidelined until the end of October.

Suarez’s 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic will end after the visit of Southampton this weekend and the Uruguay international will go straight into contention for a potentially-explosive Capital One Cup tie at Manchester United on Wednesday.