Dirk Kuyt
© AFP/File Martin Bureau

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Although a scan has revealed the injury is not as serious as first thought, strained ankle ligaments will keep him out of the home game with Blackburn on Saturday and next Wednesday's Champions League trip to Bordeaux.

Liverpool hope Kuyt could recover in time to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on October 22.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was quoted in The Sun tabloid Tuesday as expressing his anger that the Dutch striker had had to stay with his national squad ahead of their game against Albania on Wednesday rather than return to England.

"If Kuyt is a doubt, it means he is not fit," said Benitez.

"They are talking about seeing if he can play. But if he does he may miss our next three or four games."

©AFP