Brendan Rodgers to check on injured Liverpool trio Kolo Toure, Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen following victory over Notts County

The Reds needed extra-time to overcome their opponents in the Capital One Cup

Phil Medlicott
Wednesday 28 August 2013 07:29 EDT
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Kolo Toure of Liverpool is stretchered off during the Capital One Cup Second Round between Liverpool and Notts County at Anfield
Kolo Toure of Liverpool is stretchered off during the Capital One Cup Second Round between Liverpool and Notts County at Anfield (GETTY IMAGES)

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Liverpool will today assess the condition of defenders Kolo Toure and Aly Cissokho and midfielder Joe Allen after all three players picked up injuries in Tuesday's 4-2 extra-time Capital One Cup victory over Notts County.

The Reds finished the second-round tie at Anfield with 10 men, having been reduced to that during the first half of the additional 30 minutes when Toure was carried off on a stretcher with a groin problem.

They had already made all three of their substitutions, with two of them being injury-related - Cissokho, on his first Liverpool start, departing in the 10th minute due an ankle problem and Allen following suit in the 65th having sustained an apparent hamstring issue.

On the trio, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers said: "We will assess them. It was obviously disappointing with Cissokho getting injured so early on - he was distraught coming off as you can imagine.

"Joe Allen we just need to check - he has maybe tweaked his hamstring.

"And Kolo Toure has overstretched his groin, so we need to assess that, which doesn't look so good to be honest."

Rodgers did confirm centre-back Martin Skrtel, recently sidelined by a knee problem, would be available for Sunday's Barclays Premier League home clash with Manchester United.

The manager was also keen to praise both his own side and County for their efforts during the tie.

Liverpool dominated the first half and went in at the break 2-0 up thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge.

But Sky Bet League One County stunned their hosts in the second half as Yoann Arquin and then substitute Adam Coombes converted to force extra time.

After Toure's departure, the visitors then had penalty appeals rejected when Enda Stevens went down in the box under the attentions of Sterling.

Moments later, Sturridge made it 3-2 and substitute Jordan Henderson then wrapped things up.

"A year ago we might have lost that game, but I think we showed tremendous character, especially having gone down to 10 men," Rodgers said.

"To be 2-0 up and then give away the goals we did is obviously disappointing.

"But I can only commend the two groups really - my players for the brilliant character they showed to keep going and fighting, and also you have to give big credit to Notts County because they were 2-0 down and we should have scored more, but they stayed in it."

County boss Chris Kiwomya said: "Truthfully, I'm a little bit disappointed.

"When they went down to 10 men, we didn't keep the ball and I was shouting at them to do that. I just think maybe that little bit of inexperience...

"But I can't be too harsh on them, because that was a great effort."

PA

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