Kenny Dalglish has said that he expects Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina to be fit to play by the start of the season.

The Liverpool pair have been left out of the club’s pre-season Far East tour as they recover from medical issues. Captain Gerrard’s last season was ended by a groin problem while Reina underwent a double hernia operation last month.

“[Gerrard] has made a fantastic recovery from his operation towards the end of last season,” PA quotes Dalglish as saying. “He just needs to get the final couple of niggles out of the way and then he will be fit for the start of the season against Sunderland.

“The same situation applies to Pepe ... He isn’t fit and so had to stay at home. He should be ready for the start of the season.”

The Reds will host Sunderland on August 13 for their first fixture of the season.