Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were back to winning ways this weekend when they faced a tough to break Sunderland side at Anfield. Goals from Divock Origi and James Milner saw the Reds keep their second place 13 games into the season and they will now turn their attention towards the quarter-final of the League Cup against Leeds United on Tuesday.
Though Klopp was expected to field a weakened side anyway, he is expected to miss the services of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana who are all expected to be back for the game against Bournemouth at the weekend.
However, one player who has given the manager a huge headache ahead of the festive season is Philippe Coutinho.
The Brazilian has been in sublime form for the Reds for over a couple of years now and has been their player of the season for the last two years. He has also started the new season in fine fashion scoring 6 and assisting another 6 in all competitions.
He is an integral part of the squad and the fans were dealt a blow when he had to be stretchered off with heavy strapping to his right foot in the first half against Sunderland.
The 24-year old was pictured in crutches taking a scan at a local hospital at the Merseyside and though it was initially thought that the injury was not too bad, it is now understood that he might be missing up to 6-weeks of action nursing the injury.
The scans revealed that Coutinho damaged his ankle ligament and that though it is a bit serious, it does not require any surgery, thus reducing his absence.
It will come as a huge blow for the Reds who will now have to cope with the busy festive period without their talisman in the team.
Coutinho is expected to miss some big games including, matches against Bournemouth (Dec 4th), West Ham (Dec 11th), Middlesbrough (Dec 14th), Everton (Dec 19th), Stoke City (Dec 27th), Man City (Dec 31st) and Sunderland (Jan 2nd) and is expected to be back by the time Liverpool travel to Old Trafford in January.
With Sadio Mane ready to head off to the AFCONs in January, Liverpool will not be back to their full strength at least utill the middle of February at which time the season could be easily won or lost.
The likes of Roberto Firmino, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge will all be expected to play greater roles in the side in games to come and it will be interesting to see if Klopp turns to some January additions to help cope with Coutinho’s loss.
But without European football, Liverpool should be able to stay strong even in his absence. Do you think this injury will dent their title hopes?