Christian Benteke, the latest casualty in Liverpool’s striker crisis after the youngster suffered a medial knee ligament injury.
The Belgian striker on Monday was sent to a nearby medical clinic for an immediate scan after feeling discomfort following Sunday’s shocking draw against Southampton and after medical check-up had to be rested from Wednesday’s Capital One Cup clash against Bournemouth.
Due to the recent injury his participation in Saturday’s big match with Chelsea is also now in doubt. That means another blow for new Liverpool boss, who has now in hand only one recognised striker – youngster Divock Origi.
Daniel Sturridge is still sidelined with a knee injury; Danny Ings possibly will miss rest of the season as he picked up an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.
Klopp was so excited by Benteke’s cameo goal in Southampton match when the Belgium striker, after coming on as a substitute, produced a towering header. As a matter of fact, He is now Liverpool’s leading goal scorer with three goals in this season.
Benteke finished the league match, but just after the match reported the medical team of a soreness sustained in the field.
However, Liverpool think it’s only tweaked ligaments, but don’t want to take any kind of risk as the £32.5m young striker has given the dearth of options at new Liverpool manager’s disposal. Sadly, Benteke just came back from a hamstring injury against Rubin Kazan last Thursday after sitting outside five games. A surgery to cure a problem with fluid on the knee has been ruled out.
“He can walk, he can swim, but that’s not going to help him playing football,” confirmed Klopp. “There is fluid in the knee. Not too much, that’s why we can say it’s not serious and we don’t have to think about surgery, or things like this, but he needs time.
“He’s been out for four games with this one, so 10 to 12 days. Then when he’s back in training he needs to train, it is not possible to come back and then play the next day.
“I know about his history with injuries of course but I have no experience of this with him. That’s another thing I have to learn for sure.”