Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says he has no doubts that Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen can fill the void left by skipper Steven Gerrard’s hamstring injury.

Gerrard limped off during the second half of Saturday’s 4-1 win over West Ham and is now expected to miss most of the busy festive period, while Jordan Henderson is also set for a spell on the sidelines with an ankle problem.

It all means that Rodgers is currently short on midfield options and Lucas and Allen now look set for a run together in the centre of the park in what promises to be an important few weeks for the Reds as they continue to challenge at the top of the table. Liverpool are now 15/2 with Paddy Power to win the title.

With his side currently sitting second, the Northern Irishman isn’t worried about the injuries though and has backed the duo to guide the Merseysiders through the upcoming games against the likes of Tottenham, Manchester City and Chelsea.

"Steven is such an important player for us, but we have other players and dynamics in the team and they have to step up," said Rodgers. "Lucas has been excellent for us and he has forced his way into the Brazil side, so he has that quality and experience to step up and take the responsibility.

"Joe looks like he did when he first came here with his movement, his body work and fluency on the ball and that's what we need right now.”

Since overcoming his knee problems, Brazilian Lucas has once again firmly established himself as a key player for the Reds, but has often been criticised for his defensive nature.

Allen has also had his problems, constantly being hampered by both injury and poor form since following his manager to Anfield from Swansea in 2012.

However, with Gerrard out, it is now up to these two to take responsibility and the question being asked by many fans in the football betting is do the pair have the quality to help Liverpool continue their excellent start to the season?