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Liverpool injury news: Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli doubts for Aston Villa FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium

The Reds take on Villa on Sunday afternoon

Friday 17 April 2015 11:39 BST

Daniel Sturridge is a doubt for Liverpool because of a hip injury (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers could be without Daniel Sturridge, Mario Balotelli and Adam Lallana for the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Sunday, but will welcome back Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel from suspension.

Sturridge has struggled with a hip injury this season, while Balotelli is a doubt because of illness.

Lallana has been suffering from a groin injury.

Gerrard and Skrtel were both suspended for the Reds' last three games. Gerrard was handed the ban after his shock 38-second red card against Manchester United in the 2-1 defeat on 22 March. Skrtel was given a three-game ban after being found guilty of stamping on United goalkeeper David De Gea in the same game.

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

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1/11Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Simon Mignolet - 6.75

Has vastly improved since a dreadful start to the season. Brendan Rodgers doesn't have much competition for the Belgian, with Brad Jones way below the standard required.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Emre Can - 7.18

The German has been a revelation in Rodgers' back three system. The youngster is a stern defender and brilliant at carrying the ball out from the back. Has a big future at the club.

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Martin Skrtel - 7.35

Skrtel has grown to become the club's most dependable and solid defender. His three game ban will hit Liverpool hard, with £20m Dejan Lovren really struggling in his first season at Anfield.

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Mamadou Sakho - 7.12

The French defender isn't always the most pleasing on the eye - he's average on the ball - but he is a committed and strong defender.

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Jordon Ibe - 6.88

It's a real shame for Liverpool fans that the teenager picked up an injury just as he was beginning to make the position his own. No one else has been able to act so effectively down the right, especially Raheem Sterling.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Jordan Henderson - 7.23

The Liverpool vice-captain has really stepped up to fill the shoes of declining captain Steven Gerrard. The England midfielder can now claim to be the Reds' most important player and first name on the team sheet.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Lucas Leiva - 7.22

The defensive midfielder has only seen limited action due to injuries and being out of favour, but he has far outperformed Steven Gerrard. The former England captain only scores 6.87 according to WhoScored's rating.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Lazar Markovic - 6.76

Bought as a winger the Serbian has been excellent when playing in either wing-back role, although his season has also been stunted by injury. Alberto Moreno has improved and owns a rating equal to Markovic.

Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Raheem Sterling - 7.36

Raheem Sterling has to play in the front three. According to who scored his best marks come, surprisingly, when he plays on the left (7.90) or as a central striker (7.50). Sterling has struggled in a wing back role and the stats bare that out, with his rating dropping to just 6.47 when he plays in the role.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Philippe Coutinho - 7.32

Another player who has really come on in recent weeks, the Brazilian is outperforming big money summer signing Adam Lallana (7.00). The England man has been better after a slow start but Coutinho is one of Liverpool's best attacking threats.

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Liverpool's best XI of the season so far

Daniel Sturridge - 7.07

Daniel Sturridge only has four Premier League goals in this injury-hit season and that he is Liverpool's best rated striker shows the paucity of options. Liverpool's three other strikers - Mario Balotelli (6.58), Rickie Lambert (6.31) and Fabio Borini (6.25) - all rank in the bottom five of Liverpool's whole scored, and have just four Premier League goals between them all season.

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One player who is certain to miss Sunday's contest is Mamadou Sakho - the defender has a hamstring injury and will be out until mid-May at the earliest.

The Reds were last in an FA Cup final in 2012, when they lost to 2-1 to Chelsea.

Aston Villa last reached an FA Cup final in 2000, when they also lost to Chelsea, 1-0.

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