Injuries to key players could severely damage King Kenny's Liverpool dream

An injury crisis coupled with a Europa League exit and disappointing defeat to West Brom last weekend has appeared to have delayed contract talks between Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool. Of course, King Kenny is still the odds on favourite to be announced as the permanent Liverpool manager this summer but perhaps a few seeping doubts have crept in during the last two weeks. If contract talks were to collapse there are plenty of managers waiting in the wings to become the next Liverpool manager. Martin O'Neill and Didier Deschamps have constantly been linked with the post, whilst the former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be in line for a shock return.

Today it was announced that Liverpool's inspirational captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a groin injury. The skipper joins Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly on the sidelines as Liverpool's spirited second half of the season charge up the table looks to have hit a brick wall. The Reds still harbour faint hopes of a top four finish, and return to the Champions League next season, but face an uphill climb due to their rapidly growing injury list and defeat to West Brom last weekend. Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League table, 10 points behind fourth placed Chelsea, having played a game more. Dalglish's men still have to play Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Aston Villa and are outsiders to finish in the top four at 25/1 with Skybet.

Liverpool host fellow Champions League chasers Manchester City on Monday night and anything less than a win will rule out any hopes of a top four finish for the Merseyside club. Skybet have Liverpool at 11/8 to win, with Man City priced at 11/5 to pull off a win at Anfield, and whilst a draw is 9/5.