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Dalglish unlikely to buy cover for Lucas

Lucas Leiva is out for the rest of the season © PA Photos

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Kenny Dalglish has revealed it is unlikely Liverpool will spend money in order to cover the loss of Lucas Leiva, whilst confirming it is not possible to recall Alberto Aquilani from AC Milan.

Liverpool lost Lucas for the rest of the season after scans revealed he had damaged an anterior cruciate ligament on Tuesday. The Reds must now fill a sizeable hole at the heart of midfield.

The Brazilian was man-of-the-match in the recent 1-1 draw with Manchester City and he also bossed the Carling Cup tie with Chelsea until the injury. With Steven Gerrard also absent, Dalglish must rely on younger talent like Jay Spearing or Jordan Henderson to fill the void, but the Scot revealed he is unlikely to purchase a replacement.

"We've got adequate replacements and if we need somebody we'll have a look, but I don't think we need anybody," Dalglish said. "We'd much rather have him fit than injured, but we've got a strong squad and there are people in the squad who can step in.

"We have to accommodate injuries, suspensions and everything else you get in football. Unfortunately for us, Lucas is at this moment in time injured. We have to accommodate that and handle it.

"We are not going to start dancing on someone's grave; at the end of the day the boy is injured but we have adequate replacements there.

"Jay has done really well since I came in here and we do trust him. We believe in him and we will stand by them (the players) as long as they go out there and give what they have to give."

Aquilani is one of the most experienced central midfielders on Liverpool's books, but he is currently on loan at Milan. And, quite simply, the terms of that agreement rule out the option of his return.

"I think if you look at the rules you'll find it's not possible," Dalglish said.

Commenting directly on the loss of Lucas, the Liverpool manager conceded it was a big setback to his team's chances of qualifying for the top four, but he is looking for other players to step up.

"It's a huge disappointment for everybody, but more importantly for Lucas," Dalglish said. "He's had the scan, they'll assess it and decide which is the best place for him to go and where he is most comfortable in and then they'll go and do what they have to do.

"Steven [Gerrard] is still progressing really well, without putting a date on when he'll be back, so we've just got to manage it. At the same time, we've got a great deal of sympathy for Lucas.

"It's not career threatening - although it's not helpful for ourselves or Lucas - but we've just got to get on with it and accept it."

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