Skrtel expects to be out for six weeks

Skrtel limped off in the first half of Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at Watford on Sunday and scans have revealed the Slovakia centre-back has a torn hamstring that will keep him out until February.

Alongside a picture of a lion, the 31-year-old wrote on Instagram: "After all rumours going around,i want to say the time i will spend on sideline wont be 3 months...after i suffered tear in my hamstring and tendon i will be out for 6 weeks...i will work hard on my recovery and will do everything to come back as soon as possible and even stronger than before!thanks for your support."

The loss of Skrtel is a blow for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who is without a win in his last four matches, heading into the busy Christmas period.

Key fixtures Skrtel will miss include a Premier League showdown with Manchester United and the League Cup semi-final against Stoke City.

If Dejan Lovren does not recover from a knee injury in time for Liverpool's Boxing Day clash against league leaders Leicester City, Kolo Toure is likely to be drafted in for his first league start of the season alongside Mamadou Sakho.