Kenny Dalglish today revealed he expects both Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina to be fit for the start of the new season.

Both players were absent from the Liverpool travelling party which landed in China earlier today as they recover from summer operations, but the boss is confident his key duo will be ready for the opening day clash with Sunderland.

Speaking in Guangzhou at a pre-match press conference in the team's hotel, Dalglish said: "Steven is injured at the moment and that's why he's not here with us. He has made a fantastic recovery from his operation towards the end of last season.

"He just needs to get the final couple of niggles out of the way and then he will be fit for the start of the season against Sunderland.

"I know people are disappointed he isn't here with us but the disappointment would be far greater if he couldn't play the first game. That is why he has stayed at home, to rest and to have the best chance of being fit for the start of the season.

"The same situation applies to Pepe - he had a double hernia operation in June. He isn't fit and so had to stay at home. He should be ready for the start of the season."

While understanding the disappointment felt by some fans at the absence of some of the club's star players, Dalglish was quick to point out there will be plenty of talent on show over the course of the two games in China and Malaysia.

"We have some fantastic players here, all of whom have been looking really sharp in training at Melwood. They've looked fit and looked hungry. Everybody here with us will be given the opportunity of getting some match minutes under their belts.

Watch the Reds address the press in China

"Everybody who is here deserves to be here. Nobody who is here will let us down. We are without a few people because of the Copa America and injuries but the most important people for us are the ones who are here now.

"If we were playing a game at home we would be going with exactly the same group of players. We just have to accept that injuries are part and parcel of football."

Dalglish was also quizzed by journalists about his plans before the transfer window closes next month - but as ever the boss was giving little away.

"We are happy with the business we have done so far," he said. "Hopefully we will do some more business before the window closes but I'm not going to sit here and give you names because that's disrespectful.

"We are looking to bring other players in and that could mean we expect some to leave. That's football. But we have a while to go yet and we'll see what we can do."