Liverpool's Martin Skrtel faces a race to be fit for the start of the new season after being ruled out for three weeks.

Skrtel picked up a hamstring strain during Wednesday's friendly with Thailand and he has flown back to England for treatment on the injury.

Scans have shown Skrtel has suffered a strain which will keep him on the sidelines for three weeks.

It means Skrtel faces a battle to be ready for the big kick-off at Tottenham on 16th August.

Nabil El Zhar is also set to miss the start of the new campaign after he suffered a knee injury against Thailand.

The winger has sustained medial ligament damage to his knee and is expected to be sidelined for a month.