Liverpool: Adam Lallana facing uphill battle to be fit for crucial Arsenal clash

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana is reportedly facing a race against time to be fit for the Reds' crucial clash against top four rivals Arsenal on 4 April.

The former Southampton midfielder picked up a groin injury during the Merseyside club's loss against Manchester United just before the international break on 22 March at Anfield.

The midfielder subsequently pulled out of the Three Lions squad due to the knock and missed both their games, a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania and a friendly versus Italy. Apart from the groin injury the Mirror report states that Lallana has been suffering from illness, which could make him a doubt for the clash.

Brendan Rodgers' team is in a race to finish in the top four of the Premier League and the match against the Gunners will go a long way in deciding their fate as the manager is keen on having all his first-choice players available for the game.

Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling also picked up injuries while on international duty. The former pulled out of both their games due to a hip muscle tear, while the latter had a toe injury, which kept him out of the game against the Azzuri.

The report claims that while Sterling is fit to play, Sturridge will be asked to play through the pain barrier as the manager wants his side to qualify for next season's Champions League, as a loss will put them nine points behind Arsenal, who are in third place at the moment.

Apart from the above mentioned trio, it is believed that stand-in skipper Jordan Henderson is also carrying a slight niggle. But, the midfielder is expected to feature at the Emirates Stadium after featuring for both of England's games during the international break.