Brendan Rodgers reported positive news on Martin Skrtel after the Liverpool defender suffered a heavy fall in the opening moments of the FA Cup tie with Blackburn Rovers.

Only three minutes had elapsed when the Slovakian centre-half rose to challenge visiting forward Rudy Gestede for an aerial ball and landed awkwardly on the turf.

Treatment was required immediately and, following a lengthy delay, Skrtel was taken off the field on a stretcher and replaced by fellow defender Kolo Toure.

The No.37 will travel to hospital this evening as a precautionary measure, but was back on his feet and talking by the conclusion of a goalless draw at Anfield.

"He's fine but he'll go to the local hospital just to make sure," Rodgers explained at his post-match press conference.

"I think if he had his choice, he wouldn't, but we have to follow procedure and our medical experts.

"But he was fine - he was up walking about and talking after the game. But as a precaution, we just need to make sure he's OK."

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Watching on from the stands on Sunday was Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

The midfielder was unavailable to face Rovers as he continues to recover from a hamstring issue, but the boss expects his skipper to be in contention for the trip to Swansea City next up.

Rodgers said: "Steven wasn't close [today]. He's been working very well, he's still with the rehab team.

"He'll be back training next week, I'm sure, and available for the Swansea game."