Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates ruled out for majority of the season after suffering a torn knee ligament

Uruguayan had been on international duty and now faces up to nine months on the sidelines, with Brendan Rodgers now looking to strengthen his defence

Sebastian Coates in action for Uruguay against Japan last week (GETTY IMAGES)

Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates is to miss the majority of the season after suffering a serious knee injury.

The 22-year-old had been on international duty with Uruguay in Japan when he tore a knee ligament that will keep him out for around 9 months.

"He picked up a similar injury to what Martin Skrtel had last year so it's probably going to rule him out for most of the season, which is disappointing for me because he's never given me a minute's problem since he's been here," Rodgers said at a news conference earlier today.

"This was probably a year he needed to go out and play, so unfortunately this will put an end to that."

Coates joined the Reds from Nacional in 2011, and has made 12 league appearances in his Anfield career – scoring a brilliant overhead kick against Queens Park Rangers from a cleared corner.

Having brought in centre-back Kolo Toure on a free transfer, Brendan Rodgers still wants more options at the back in the wake of Coates’ injury.

"Yeah I think it's something that we're looking at, certainly," he said when asked about further reinforcements.

Barcelona have ruled out a move for Reds’ vice-captain Daniel Agger, although they will monitor the situation should they feel the feed to strengthen their questionable defence in January. They also signed left-back Aly Cissokho on a season-long loan from Valencia, although Martin Skrtel could be on his way out of Anfield having fallen behind Agger and Toure in the pecking order.

Liverpool were already a man short in defence before the addition of Toure after legendary centre-back Jamie Carragher announced his retirement after a long and successful career with the Reds.

But when asked if their had been a bid for the Slovakian defender with Napoli rumoured to be interested, Rodgers replied: "No, not at all.

"I haven't been told anything about that whatsoever. It was mentioned this morning but it is the first I have heard of it.

"Ian Ayre, our managing director, does a terrific job and he always informs me straight away of anything. I haven't heard anything."