Manchester United vs Liverpool: Adam Lallana likely to play at Old Trafford despite cracked ribs

Lallana suffered injury against Leicester City 10 days ago

Adam Lallana is expected to be available for Liverpool's clash with bitter rivals Manchester United despite suffering with two cracks ribs for the last 10 days.

It has emerged that the 26-year-old was injured during the win against Leicester City on 2 December, a game in which he scored the equaliser, and needed a pain-killing injection to make it through 67 minutes against Sunderland last weekend.

Lallana was an unused substitute against Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday night, though it is not yet clear whether Brendan Rodgers will start the England man in the match on Sunday.

Rodgers will be without Kolo Toure, Daniel Sturridge, Jon Flanagan and Suso, although Mario Balotelli could be in line to play his first game for Liverpool since the defeat to Chelsea on 8 November.

Mario Balotelli could play for the first time since 8 November (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal will have up to eight players missing for the game, with Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Daley Blind and Phil Jones, definitely out, though Angel Di Maria and Rafael have a chance of being fit in time to play.