Liverpool FC

Liverpool braced for Wijnaldum injury lay-off

Georgino Wijnaldum is facing a potential injury lay-off for Liverpool.

Wijnaldum was withdrawn early during the first half of the Reds’ Champions League win over Maribor at Anfield with a suspected twisted ankle.

Jordan Henderson replaced the Holland international in the 17th minute as his side went on to record a 3-0 victory over their Slovenian opponents.

But Jurgen Klopp admitted after the Group E game that Wijnaldum’s injury will rule him out of Saturday’s trip to West Ham and potentially for longer.

He said: ‘Nobody spoke to me so far [about it].

“At half-time I asked immediately and the ankle was already swollen. It’s probably not a good sign.

“We saw a kick in the game and didn’t think it was too serious. Then it was swollen.

“We’re not sure if he twisted it or not. For sure, we have to make a scan.”

Embed from Getty Images

 

Klopp will also be without Philippe Coutinho for a third straight match ahead of the game in the capital due to the playmaker suffering an adductor problem.

However the Liverpool manager has refused to rule out Dejan Lovren’s potential return, although he concedes that it remains touch and go for the defender.

“I would say it will be really close. I don’t think Phil is able to play, but with Dejan we have to see,” added Klopp.

“It is different with Dejan. It’s not the same problem Phil has and he is not out for that long a time.

“But Gini is out so maybe there will be a wonder or something like this and Phil is in.

“But I don’t think in the moment that he can play.”