Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could be back in action sooner rather than later after a scan revealed no ligament damage to his injured left knee.

The Denmark captain was stretchered off during Sunday’s Premier League match with Manchester United and manager Brendan Rodgers feared he could miss the rest of the season.

But a statement on the Liverpool website on Monday said Agger “has suffered a significant bone bruise to the left knee.

“No ligament damage was sustained, but further tests will be carried out before it can be established when he will be able to return to training.”

However, Rodgers will be without fullback Martin Kelly until at least the new year after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The injury will require surgery but the England international tweeted:

“What I can say is it is not the worst injury I’ve had,” he said.

“For sure I’ll be fighting for my place next year when I am back, fitter and stronger.”

Striker Fabio Borini is also likely to miss a number of games as he suffered “considerable swelling to the inner aspect of his right ankle”.

Liverpool said X-rays revealed no fracture but that they will wait until the swelling goes down before having an MRI scan on Tuesday.

The club sit in the bottom three with just two points from their first five games.