Dalglish confident on Liverpool pair´s fitness

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is confident injured duo Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina will be fit in time for the start of the new season.

The pair have not travelled with the rest of the squad to China for the first leg of the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.

Gerrard is still recovering from surgery to heal a groin injury that ended his season in March and goalkeeper Reina is not yet ready to return to football after a double hernia operation last month.

Speaking at a press conference in Guangzhou as his side prepare for their first friendly on Wednesday, Dalglish said he was confident both would be fit to kick off Liverpool’s English Premier League campaign against Sunderland on August 13.

“Steven is injured at the moment and that’s why he’s not here with us,” Dalglish said.

“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.”