Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in fitness fight to make Mersey derby

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool are beginning to fear Pepe Reina's hamstring injury is more serious than first thought, and their first-choice keeper is now a doubt for the Merseyside derby on Sunday.

The Spaniard will miss tonight's Europa League Group A match with Anzhi Makhachkala at Anfield, having also missed the 1-0 Premier League win over Reading on Saturday with a hamstring problem. Brad Jones deputised at the weekend, and is set to do so once more for the Anzhi contest.

Reina did not take part in the training session with the rest of the Liverpool squad which was open to cameras at Melwood yesterday morning and, asked how long Reina was likely to be out of action, the club's assistant manager, Colin Pascoe, said: "We are not quite sure at the moment. Hopefully, not too long. He is doing his rehab at the moment and is working hard in training.

"We will just have to assess him over the weekend and will see then."

The Reds will also be without defender Martin Kelly (knee), midfielder Lucas Leiva (thigh) and striker Fabio Borini (foot) tonight.