Good morning! Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will be speaking to the media shortly as he prepares his side for a match against Queens Park Rangers at Anfield in the Premier League this weekend.

It's been a difficult few weeks for the team, with just one win from their last five Premier League matches, as well as defeat in the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley. The visit of QPR is no guaranteed win for Liverpool, with their opponents scrapping for survival in the top flight.

It's been reported this morning that striker Daniel Sturridge will be heading back to America for treatment on his hip injury, having already traveled to the US earlier in the season for help overcoming another problem. Rodgers will hopefully be providing an update on Sturridge this morning.

Here's a look at the first team in action in training for this match at the club's Melwood training ground yesterday:

While we wait for Rodgers, winger Jordon Ibe has been speaking to the club's website. He said: "It gives me a lot of confidence. I'm happy the gaffer thinks of me that way and hopefully I can just do what he thinks I can do on the pitch, do well and try to get goals for the team. He's given me the chance to play in the first team and I'm enjoying it and learning from all the players. I feel I can take this into next season and keep playing and doing well."

Don't forget, we'll be bringing you live updates from this match from an hour prior to kickoff, while you can already read our in depth match preview. Make sure you're with us tomorrow for team news, half-time and full-time updates as well as post-match reaction, player ratings and much more.

As ever, Raheem Sterling's contract situation will surely be up for discussion this morning. The winger has already turned down one offer of an extension, and he and the club have both insisted that they'll re-open negotiations at the end of the season, but barely a day goes by without the England international being linked with a move away from Anfield.

Another player with an uncertain future at the club is Mario Balotelli. The Italian's performance against Hull City earlier this week has come in for some criticism, so it will be interesting to hear what Rodgers has to say about the striker.

Right then, the manager is ready to speak, so let's see what's up for discussion this week...

Starting with the reports on Sturrdige, Rodgers confirms: "We've found some underlying issue related to Dan's problems. Staff here are liasing with great medics in America. Daniel wants to be available, it's unfortunate for him on the back of how fantastic he was last season."

Turning his attention to this summer's transfer window, Rodgers says: "Come the end of the season you look to improve the squad, what I've said is we have been short of goals this season, but that's not the strikers, it's the whole team, wide players, midfielders, defenders. These are areas we want to improve on."

Steven Gerrard was rested against Hull, and the manager says: "It was clear, Saturday-Tuesday games were always going to be difficult, but he will be flying for the weekend."

Jon Flanagan has just been condemned to the sidelines for another lengthy spell after undergoing more knee surgery. The manager says: "He's been a big miss for us. Second half of last season he was arguably the best full-back in the league. He trained last week and looked brilliant, but for him and his career we felt he needed that op."

Rodgers admits that it would be disappointing not to be in the Champions League next season: "It would be a disappointment, but it's never over until the final whistle blows. We have to keep working to the end. When I came to Liverpool I knew how the model works. We won 10 out of 13 and confidence was high. In a couple of big games we fell shortly and that can dent your confidence."

Focusing on this weekend's match, Rodgers admits: "It will be a tough game against QPR. Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora are a real handful. We totally respect them and their fight [against relegation]."

He adds: "Chris [Ramsey" has got them very well organised, they are pressing the ball high up the field. We respect them but focus on ourselves."

On his squad's availability for tomorrow's match, the manager confirms that Sakho is still out, while an injury sustained at Hull will keep Mario Balotelli out. Lucas is available though, while Alberto Moreno will need a late fitness test.

Well, that's it from Rodgers today, so make sure you join us again tomorrow to find out if Liverpool can add to QPR's relegation worries. Until then, thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.