Liverpool striker Danny Ings has suffered a second season-ending injury in as many years.
Ings failed to feature under Jurgen Klopp last season after sustaining a cruciate left knee problem during the Reds manager’s first training session.
His road to recovery saw him become a regular fixture for Liverpool’s under-23 side before making two first-team cameos in the EFL Cup.
But the England international suffered cartilage damage in his right knee on his most recent outing in the last 16 win over Tottenham at Anfield last week.
He missed Liverpool U23s game with Manchester City just three days later due to the injury and is now preparing to undergo surgery in London.
“To say we are gutted would be an understatement,” admitted Klopp.
“He is such a great boy and has worked so hard that he deserves better luck than this.
“It is typical of Danny’s personality, on and off the pitch, that he picked up this injury to his knee when courageously trying to win the ball back for his team by making a tackle.
“But it is this same personality that means he will come back as good and as strong from this latest setback as he has done in the past.
“I’m told the likely lay off is anywhere from between seven to nine months.
“He is mentally strong, physically strong and will have the very best treatment and rehab possible to make sure when he returns he is ready to play for us at the level we know he is capable of.”
Ings’ Anfield career appeared to be on an upward trajectory following his arrival on a free transfer after his Burnley contract expired in summer 2015.
A tribunal later ruled that Liverpool had to pay the erstwhile Championship club a development fee of £6.5 million which could rise to £8 million.