Liverpool have been dealt a huge blow with the news that forward Luis Diaz is set to be out of action until March.
The Colombian winger left on crutches after suffering an injury in the Reds' defeat by Arsenal in October. With his country not involved in the World Cup, though, it was hoped that he would be able to recover during the midseason break before returning to help his club side mount a top-four charge.
He was back in training during the interval, joining his team-mates in Dubai for their warm-weather training camp, but injury forced him to fly home before the friendly defeat by Lyon on Sunday. Liverpool had been waiting to learn more about the extent of the setback, and the news is worrying.
According to The Athletic, Diaz requires surgery on his knee injury, with a return date of March the likely outcome. Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott was also forced off in the Lyon game, but his problem is thought to be less severe.
"Yeah, he was not in the best possible place," Klopp said of Diaz on Sunday. "It's clear it's a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well. t was a non-situation in training, honestly – nothing. [He] felt something. [He] didn't feel a lot next day but we wanted to be really cautious and said, 'OK, come on, let's have a look'. Yeah, then the news came and it was a proper smash in the face. But that's it now."
Do Liverpool need to spend in January to cover for Diaz? Have your say in the comments section.
Liverpool have also been without Diogo Jota, who missed Portugal's World Cup campaign through injury. The former Wolves forward still faces a few weeks on the sidelines, with a February return date looking likely.
As for Harvey Elliott, Klopp has given a more positive outlook. "He looks fine now but he feels it, that's normal, there was contact," the German said after the youngster picked up a knock against Lyon. "But I hope we were lucky in that moment."
A number of first-teamers were involved against Lyon, with Fabio Carvalho putting Liverpool ahead inside the first minute only for Mohamed Salah to miss a penalty and Lyon to hit back with three goals of their own. Joel Matip featured at centre-back, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita came off the bench after having injury issues of their own during the first half of the season.
Liverpool are back in action on December 22, taking on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. Klopp's team return to league action against Aston Villa four days later as they aim to close the seven-point gap between themselves and the Champions League places.
