BR on Lazar, Agger and new-look squad
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Lazar Markovic is closing in on a return to action and is hopeful he'll be available for next weekend's Barclays Premier League opener.
The summer arrival from Benfica has not featured since making a 45-minute debut against Olympiacos in Chicago due to a tendon problem.
However, Rodgers is optimistic on Markovic's availability for Sunday's clash with Southampton at Anfield - but insists he should definitely be ready for the trip to Manchester City on August 25 should he miss the Saints' visit to L4.
"He'll hopefully be around then [against Southampton], but if not then he certainly will for the next game," the boss told reporters following the 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund.
"He had a slight problem with his tendon, but he's up to speed.
"He's working with our sports science team, he's looking very strong and if he just misses out, he certainly should be available for the next game."
Elsewhere, Rodgers confirmed Daniel Agger is still undergoing treatment on a knee problem sustained during the tour of the United States.
"Dan is still getting some work done on his knee," said the manager. "He's been unfortunate since America, so he's still getting treatment."
Meanwhile, having added seven new faces to his playing staff during the summer, journalists quizzed Rodgers on how he plans to manage his new-look squad over the course of the campaign.
The 41-year-old was eager to stress every member of his ranks will have a role to play as Liverpool contend with the return of Champions League football in addition to their domestic duties.
Rodgers explained: "There is no chore in it at all. We bring in the right characters, first and foremost. We assess the mentality of the player, they're told exactly what the situation is before they come in so they're not coming in blind to any situation.
"They know the philosophy of how we work exactly, they know the style in which we operate, they know I will speak and communicate with them and they know the team will change because there will be so many games. It'll be about the squad.
"The man-management of it is very, very simple - it's just about communicating and talking with players [and them] recognising and understanding that sometimes it's difficult not playing when you want to play, but knowing they have a role here and that's why we brought them to the club."