Liverpool's Lucas Leiva and Mamadou Sakho fit for Manchester United clash

Mamadou Sakho and Lucas Leiva of Liverpool in action during a training session

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has been given a huge injury boost as midfielder Lucas Leiva and centre-back Mamadou Sakho are now in contention to face fierce rivals Manchester United at the weekend, reports the Mirror.

The pair both featured in a 2-0 Under-21s victory over West Ham United last week and resumed full training with the first-team squad yesterday.

Sakho, an £17m summer signing for Paris Saint-Germain, has recovered from a torn hamstring and is expected to return to the starting XI against the Red Devils. Fellow defenders Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have produced several less than assertive displays in his absence, despite the Merseysiders moving up to second place in the Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Lucas has been sidelined with a knee ligament problem since January but is on course to make his return to action this week, although the Brazilian is no longer guaranteed a place in the side due to Steven Gerrard’s impressive performances in a new deep-lying midfield role.

Rodgers will be delighted to have the duo back in his squad as he takes his side to Old Trafford with Liverpool aiming to not only secure a crucial Champions League place of their own but effectively end their rivals hopes of earning one too.

Mamadou Sakho has a 69% tackle success rate for Liverpool this season.