Liverpool injury blow: Jurgen Klopp confirms Adam Lallana out for a 'significant period'

LIVERPOOL have been hit by a major blow after Adam Lallana was ruled out for up to three months with a thigh injury.

Micky Quinn questions Adam Lallana after new Liverpool contract

The midfielder will miss the start of the new campaign after picking up the injury in Wednesday’s Audi Cup final against Atletico Madrid.

Lallana could be out until November - and the 29-year-old’s injury will also come as a major shock to England boss Gareth Southgate who is set to lose the player for the remaining World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “This is certainly not news we would have wanted.

“Unfortunately, the damage is such that it will likely mean Adam is out for a couple of months not weeks, so I think we can pretty much rule him out of August and September.

“Beyond that we will monitor and wait and see.

“He is a boy with a world-class attitude to everything professionally and he has always come back in good time from injury setbacks since I have been here, so we will see.”

This is certainly not news we would have wanted

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Lallana was ruled out for a month last March when he suffered a thigh injury on international duty.

This is thought to be a more serious problem and the former Southampton man could miss the bulk of Liverpool’s Champions League group games if the Reds come through this month’s play-off with Hoffenheim.

Klopp’s side were paired with the Bundesliga club in yesterday’s draw with the first leg in Germany on August 15th.

It will be the third time the Reds have faced German opposition since Klopp took charge at Anfield.

The manager said: “Actually, it was exactly what I expected when I had a look – if there’s a choice we always seem to take the German team! Sorry!”

Striker Daniel Sturridge also injured his thigh in the pre-season tournament and will miss today’s trip to Dublin to face Athletic Bilbao.

Adam LallanaGETTY

Adam Lallana is out for a couple months

Everton will face Croatian side Hajduk Split in the Europa League play-off round following their 2-0 aggregate win against Slovakian side Ruzomberok in the third qualifying round.

Ronald Koeman’s side will be at home on August 17 before travelling to the Stadion Poljud a week later for the second leg.

Everton boss Koeman said: “Hajduk Split will be a real challenge, with their strong support and a stadium that is good to play football in.

“But of course we want to reach the group stages of the Europa League, so we will have analysed their strengths and weaknesses between now and the tie and we will be prepared.”

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