Michael
Liverpool midfielder Thiago is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks by the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham
Our Spanish international limped off early in the second half at Craven Cottage and a scan has since confirmed his worst fears.
Thiago is expected to be out until mid-September meaning he will miss the upcoming Premier League games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Everton and Wolves.
The news is a major blow for Jurgen Klopp, who has already seen his midfield options reduced by injuries to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones.
Naby Keita also missed the trip to Fulham but he will be back in contention for next Monday’s home clash with Palace after recovering from illness.
Asked following the 2-2 draw with Fulham whether the injury situation would force Liverpool to buy another midfielder, Klopp said: “A transfer must make sense now and in the long-term. We have eight midfielders. We still have enough midfielders. It’s not that we lack midfielders, it’s just some of them are injured.
“This isn’t a good situation, I don’t like it at all. We have to see how we react on that, but for sure not panic.”
Thiago has endured a number of setbacks since arriving at Anfield from Bayern Munich for £25 million two years ago.
Injury and illness limited him to just 24 league outings in 2020-21 and he featured in just 25 out of 38 last season.
Thiago being sidelined until mid-September would see him miss the games against Crystal Palace, Manchester United, Bournemouth, Newcastle, Everton and Wolves.
A comeback can be provisionally penciled in for October 1, when Liverpool welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Anfield
The former Bayern Munich man has already sat out 44 games through injury or illness since arriving at Anfield two years ago, and he was also restricted to just 17 Premier League starts last season.
September-October 2020 – Covid (4 games missed)
October-December 2020 – Knee injury (17 games missed)
September-October 2021 – Calf injury (10 games missed)
December 2021 – Covid (3 games missed)
December 2021-February 2022 – Hip injury (7 games missed)
February-March 2022 – Thigh injury (3 games missed)
June 2022 – Achilles injury (Missed international duty)
August 2022 – Hamstring injury (expected to miss 9 games)
Should Liverpool try to sign a new midfielder this summer to strengthen our midfield options?
