The 30-year-old sustained the injury just two days before his country's EURO 2012 qualifier against Finland on Tuesday as Liverpool confirmed his absence period.

"Dirk has damaged his shoulder at the A-C joint, which is between the collar bone and the shoulder. He is likely to be out for four weeks," Liverpool doctor Peter Brukner told the club's site.

Kuyt is now set to miss his club's next three Premier League fixtures against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland.