Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel

Liverpool have confirmed Martin Skrtel will be sidelined for eight weeks after suffering a broken metatarsal in his right foot.

Skrtel picked up the problem during Liverpool's 3-1 away win over Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League last Thursday.

Scans confirmed the nature of the injury, but the Reds were awaiting further X-rays to determine how long the Slovakia international would be out of action.

Those tests have now shown that the centre-half will be absent for two months, although he will not require an operation.

Skrtel's absence has been compounded by an injury worry over Daniel Agger, who suffered severe bruising to his knee in Sunday's 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.

Agger is undergoing treatment at the club's Melwood training ground this week to give him every chance of being fit for next Monday's Premier League game at Wigan Athletic.