Liverpool have announced that defender Sebastian Coates will miss 'most of the season' with a knee injury.

The Uruguayan centre-half suffered the injury while on international duty this summer and scans have now confirmed the full extent of the injury.

Coates' injury is the main reason why the out of favour Martin Skrtel still finds himself at Anfield.

The Reds rejected an approach from Napoli as there is little cover at centre-half behind Kolo Toure and Daniel Agger.