Firmino may have broken bone in back; Benteke sidelined
Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers fears Reds new boy Roberto Firmino may have broken a bone in his back.
Rodgers, who also admitted that Christian Benteke may be missing for "a little bit of time" with a hamstring injury, says Firmino "landed awkwardly" in the first half of the midweek cup clash with Carlisle.
The former Hoffenheim man was replaced by Divock Origi on 35 minutes and Rodgers is concerned about his £29m summer recruit.
Rodgers said: "Benteke will probably be out for a little bit of time. Young Firmino landed awkwardly and may have cracked a bone in his back and Dejan Lovren will be out for a few weeks with ligament injury."
Firmino will have another scan on Friday but the fear is that he has sustained a hairline fracture of a bone in his back, which could keep him out until mid-October.
The trio join skipper Jordan Henderson on the sidelines, who is missing with a broken bone in his foot.
England international Daniel Sturridge is in contention to start against Aston Villa on Saturday, but Rodgers warned: "We have to manage him into games."
