Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson ruled out of Leicester trip and doubtful for Arsenal game at weekend

Chris Bascombe 27 February 2017 • 12:00pm

Liverpool have suffered an injury setback ahead of tonight’s trip to Leicester as Jordan Henderson has been ruled out with a foot injury.

The captain was hurt in training over the weekend, and although the knock is not as serious as feared, he is expected to miss the next two games. Liverpool play Arsenal in another game pivotal to Champions League qualification at the weekend.

Henderson was worried he had an even worse problem after the impact injury sustained during the final preparations for the fixture at the King Power Stadium. He underwent a scan and was relieved to discover the foot is not broken, which would have potentially ended his season. Instead, the blow is significant enough to sideline him for several days.

It’s a huge disappointment for manager Jürgen Klopp, disturbing preparations before Liverpool’s first game in 15 days. He had taken his squad to Spain to re-energise bodies and minds before the final games that will determine if the club can fight for Champions League football.

Klopp must now decide whether to recall Emre Can, the most likely solution in Henderson’s absence against the deposed Premier League champions.

Emre Can and Jordan Henderson - Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson ruled out of Leicester trip and doubtful for Arsenal game at weekend — Emre Can may start against Leicester in place of the injured Henderson Credit: REX FEATURES

Henderson has been plagued by misfortune over the last two years, last season shadowed by a long-standing heel issue and then damaging his knee as Liverpool made progress in the Europa League.

Another separate heel issue briefly interrupted this season and he will be hugely frustrated to be missing out yet again as his last performance against Tottenham Hotspur was a welcome return to form – probably his best display in weeks.

Liverpool have other injury issues with Dejan Lovren recovering from a knee injury and Daniel Sturridge trying to overcome a virus.

Most of the attention going into tonight’s game has been on Liverpool’s opponents as Leicester’s players attempt to begin their long road to redemption having been roundly accused of engineering the sacking of Claudio Ranieri.