Reds' Agger hit by injury setback

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is set to have surgery on a back injury which could rule him out for six weeks.

Agger, 24, has missed Liverpool's first two games of the season and will travel to France for an operation next week.

Liverpool's defensive options have been severely stretched with Martin Skrtel also sidelined because of a jaw injury.

However, boss Rafael Benitez drafted in Greek international defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens for £2m on Thursday to strengthen his squad.

Kyrgiakos should be available to make his debut in next Monday night's game against Aston Villa.

Another option for Benitez may be 19-year-old Spanish defender Daniel Ayala, who featured alongside Jamie Carragher in Wednesday night's 4-0 Premier League win against Stoke.

Agger arrived at Anfield from Brondby for £5.8m in January 2006.

The Denmark international, who featured 25 times for Liverpool last season, is likely to be fully rehabilitated from his back injury by November.