Nathaniel Clyne has suffered another injury setback that is likely to keep the Liverpool defender out until February.
The right-back, who has endured a miserable campaign after sustaining a back injury in a pre-season game in July, will now spend up to three more months out recovering from a minor operation.
Clyne had started running again at Melwood in September when Jürgen Klopp called his progress encouraging but the 26‑year‑old has had surgery which will delay his return further. The setback is even more frustrating for the England defender with time running out for him to stake a claim for a World Cup squad place.
In what has been a season punctuated by injuries for Liverpool, Sadio Mané is heading back to Merseyside having aggravated his hamstring injury. The forward, who had only returned to domestic action against West Ham on 4 November, has been sent back to Melwood after leading Senegal to World Cup qualification.
Mané played a key role in Senegal’s crucial 2-0 win over South Africa in Polokwane but then complained of discomfort. Senegal agreed was to return the 25-year-old to Liverpool for further treatment. A Senegal statement confirmed Mané had suffered a slight recurrence of “an old injury”.
Klopp will be desperate to have arguably his most influential player fit as Liverpool head into a key week. They host Southampton on Saturday before a Champions League trip to Sevilla on 21 November. Chelsea arrive at Anfield on 25 November for a Saturday evening match.
“It is a concern that the hamstring injury is again on the agenda and it will be critical for us to monitor and manage that in the coming days,” Klopp said. “At this stage we haven’t seen Sadio yet to properly assess the extent, but what is clear is that we will have to stay on top of this for the rest of the week and make sure we are careful in how we look after him.
“All I can really say with certainty is that we will assess Sadio as soon as he lands back in the country and make decisions on what rehab and treatment gives him the best chance of being back fit and strong for the important fixtures we have coming.
“There has been really strong communication between ourselves and Senegal to ensure the player is properly protected and looked after. We respect how important he is for Senegal and therefore it must always be the case that they get to make the decision when he is under their care. It should not be forgotten in Liverpool, either, how important it is to Sadio that he represents his country whenever he is fit enough to do so. He is so proud of his country and recognises what a role model he is for them.”
Philippe Coutinho is expected to play some part for Brazil in the friendly against England on Tuesday. The playmaker has missed Liverpool’s last three matches with an abductor strain but is fit enough to play at Wembley.
Jordan Henderson – who pulled out of the England squad for their two friendlies – did not train as he continues his recovery from a thigh problem. His fellow midfielder Adam Lallana, who is approaching full fitness after a thigh injury, continued to work on his own rather than take part in full training – but is expected to feature in a training match at Melwood on Tuesday.