Injury blow: Luis Diaz left the Emirates on crutches and with his knee in a brace
(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)Liverpool have been dealt a major double injury blow as another blockbuster Premier League showdown with Manchester City looms.
The Reds have made their worst start to a season for a decade after going down 3-2 at high-flying Arsenal on Sunday, with Bukayo Saka’s late penalty proving decisive as the Gunners went back above City to the top-flight summit.
Liverpool remain languishing down in 10th place and a full 14 points off the early title pace after winning two of their first eight matches so far this term, with an ongoing injury crisis only worsening to deepen Jurgen Klopp’s plight.
Colombian forward Luis Diaz was seen leaving the Emirates Stadium on crutches and with his knee in a brace after limping off in the first half of a five-goal thriller in north London, while England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold also sustained a nasty blow to his ankle while defending against man of the match Gabriel Martinelli.
Alexander-Arnold soldiered on until half-time - making an ill-advised gamble for Saka’s first goal just before the interval - before being replaced by Joe Gomez and a downbeat Klopp admitted that neither injury looks good as Liverpool prepare for two big games against Rangers at Ibrox in the Champions League and then Pep Guardiola’s City at Anfield.
“Lucho [Diaz] we had to change before [half-time]. [It’s] something with the knee, not good,” Klopp said.
“He will have a scan and then we will know more. I have no idea about the extent and then on top of that Trent is bad as well with the ankle.
“[He] twisted the ankle, not good. Trent never, in seven years, went off if he could have played on. He was in too much pain, it started swelling immediately, so we will have to see.”
England boss Gareth Southgate will be keeping a watchful eye on Alexander-Arnold’s condition, with fellow right-sided defender Kyle Walker already in a race against time to be fit for the inaugural winter World Cup in Qatar after groin surgery.
Liverpool have endured torrid luck on the injury front during a dismal start to the season, with deadline day signing Arthur Melo requiring surgery on a muscle issue that is set to rule him out for three to four months.
The likes of Andy Robertson, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also remain sidelined.
