Liverpool injury news: Is Sadio Mane out for the season?

Liverpool injury news: Coutinho could return for Man Utd

29 November

There has been some good news as Liverpool consider delving into the transfer market following Philippe Coutinho's ankle injury - the Brazilian is only expected to be ruled out for six weeks.

"Tests have revealed the play-maker will not require surgery, and could be set to return before Liverpool's crunch encounter with Manchester United in mid January," reports the Daily Mail.

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Coutinho will miss the busy Christmas period, but is only likely to sit out one encounter with a direct title rival, although he will also be sidelined for the Merseyside derby.

Liverpool play Bournemouth, West Ham, Middlesbrough, Everton at Goodison Park and Stoke next month before facing Manchester City on New Year's Eve. After that, they visit Sunderland and Man United.

But even if Coutinho does not make it back for the trip to Old Trafford, he should be available by the time Chelsea visit Anfield on 31 January.

With Danny Ings also out for the season and Sadio Mane expected to depart for the African Cup of Nations at the end of the year, there were fears the Reds could be left threadbare at the start of 2017, leading to talk of a move for Borussia Dortmund teenager Christian Pulisic.

Liverpool injury news: Danny Ings ruled out for season

2 November

Liverpool striker Danny Ings will miss the rest of the season after picking up a knee injury during the EFL Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur last week.

It is the "second devastating setback in little more than a year" for the 24-year-old, who missed almost all of last season with another serious, but unrelated, knee problem, says The Times.

Ings was injured in one of manager Jurgen Klopp's first training sessions after taking over at Liverpool last season. He was making only his second appearance of the season when disaster struck as he made a tackle in the game against Spurs, which Liverpool won 2-1.

Ings was able to finish the game, but was later diagnosed with a cartilage problem. The former Burnley striker has travelled to London to undergo surgery and could be out of action for nine months.

"Last year he suffered cruciate damage in his left knee," says Chris Bascombe of the Daily Telegraph. "Although the new blow is not a cruciate injury, it is serious cartilage damage in his right knee with the initial diagnosis indicating a seven-month recovery.

"The player is naturally distraught, as are his team mates and manager Klopp. Ings is one of the most popular players at Melwood and it was felt it was only a matter of time before he made an impact."

Liverpool manager Klopp told the club's website: "To say we are gutted would be an understatement; he is such a great boy and has worked so hard that he deserves better luck than this."

There has been an "outpouring of sympathy and support" for the player on Merseyside and beyond, says the Daily Mirror.

Liverpool injury news: Coutinho and Origi ready for Everton

19 April

Liverpool's big guns are set to return to the team for the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, James Milner and Simon Mignolet did not feature in the side that beat Bournemouth at the weekend, while defenders Dejan Lovren, Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno did not even make the match-day squad.

However, none are carrying injuries and they should start at Anfield.

The availability of defenders is particularly good news for manager Jurgen Klopp, as he confirmed that Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure were both battling muscle problems, reports Sports Review.

Striker Divock Origi, who came off the bench at Dean Court, will also be fit after overcoming a "niggle" in his back, reports Metro, which describes the news as a "boost".

However, the Reds will be without Emre Can, who ruptured ankle ligaments towards the end of last week's dramatic win over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League. He is likely to be out for six weeks.

"Even the most positive diagnosis makes it unlikely the 22-year-old will feature for the Reds again this campaign, which could finish with a Europa League final on May 18," says the Liverpool Echo. "But the Germany international has set his sights on featuring for his country in the Euro 2016 finals which begin in June."

Can is in the same boat as Jordan Henderson, who suffered a knee injury in the first leg against Dortmund and is also unlikely to feature again this season.

His absence means Klopp is likely to stick with the midfield pairing of Kevin Stewart and Joe Allen against Everton.

Liverpool injury news: Coutinho a doubt after Brazil trip

30 March

Liverpool could be without Philippe Coutinho for the crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, even though the player hardly featured for Brazil in their two World Cup qualifying games this week.

The 23-year-old international was a late substitute in the 2-2 draw against Uruguay last week and did not feature in the 2-2 draw against Paraguay on Wednesday morning. However, it is the effects of flying back to England that concern the Reds.

"While Coutinho's lack of playing time will have been something of a relief to [manager Jurgen] Klopp, the Liverpool boss will decide how much the gruelling trip has taken out of him before deciding on his line up to face Spurs," reports the Liverpool Echo.

There is better news on fellow Brazilians Roberto Firmino and Lucas Leiva, who have been recuperating from injury on a warm weather training camp in Tenerife. They are expected to return to the first team squad at the weekend.

However, the international break has claimed other victims and Klopp must contend with injuries to strikers Christian Benteke and Divock Origi, who both returned early to Liverpool after picking up knocks while on duty with Belgium.

"There is no return date for either," reported Metro at the end of last week. It says Origi, who has a calf injury, is the biggest concern, while Benteke was ruled out with a knee problem.

However, Daniel Sturridge appears to have survived England duty unscathed. The injury-prone striker sat out the game with Germany but played 58 minutes against the Netherlands. Klopp is hoping he and fellow England stars Adam Lallana, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Jordan Henderson get a clean bill of health when they return to Melwood today.

Liverpool injury news: Milner fit but no return for Skrtel

16 March

There is good news and bad news for Liverpool ahead of their Europa League showdown with Manchester United. Midfielder James Milner has recovered from illness but defender Martin Skrtel was told to continue his injury comeback with the Reds Under-21s.

Milner missed the 2-0 Anfield win with a virus but is now back in training and will be part of the squad for the second leg of the tie at Old Trafford, reports the Liverpool Echo.

However, he is not sure of a place in the team after Liverpool's fine performance last week and "his availability gives Jurgen Klopp a selection dilemma", says the paper.

"The attacking trio of Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho all performed well in the first leg and so Milner may have to settle for a place on the bench at Old Trafford."

One player who will not be at Old Trafford is Martin Skrtel, who was said to be "itching" to get back in the first team earlier this week.

Although he has now recovered from the hamstring problem that has sidelined him since December, it appears the manager wants him back to his best before a return to the first team.

Klopp "has seemingly taken an early decision regarding Skrtel's fitness after the player appeared to travel to London for the club's Under-21 Premier League Cup semi-final against West Ham United," reports International Business Times.

Liverpool injury news: Skrtel could return for Man Utd clash

14 March

Liverpool's hamstring curse may finally be lifting and the Reds have been given a major boost ahead of their Europa League showdown with Manchester United on Thursday, with defender Martin Skrtel reportedly "itching" to make a comeback.

The defender played an hour for the Under-21 side against Manchester United on Friday night and is now hoping to play a part in the showdown with the Red Devils in Europe on Thursday.

Liverpool Under-21 boss Michael Beale told the official club website that the comeback had been a success.

"Martin has been out for a while and he looked sharp," he said. "Obviously he will now be itching to get in the squad for the Europa League clash with Manchester United next Thursday, so it's onwards for him from there."

Another positive from the match was the appearance of Jordan Ibe, who has fallen out of favour since a hamstring injury in January. He played in attack for the Reds.

"Jurgen Klopp's injury woes have eased significantly after a rotten start to 2016. While Danny Ings and Joe Gomez remain long-term absentees, midfielders Kevin Stewart and Lucas Leiva are there only other treatment room residents at the moment," reports International Business Times. "Skrtel will be the latest to return to the first-team fold, with Daniel Sturridge looking to end his season on a high after a campaign that has been marred by injury setbacks."

Midfielder Lucas also delivered a positive update on his condition. The Brazilian utility player picked up a quad injury in the Capital One Cup final but the Liverpool Echo reports that he expects to be back early next month.

There was more good news about Ings too. Although he has no chance of making a comeback this season the striker was pictured jogging at Liverpool's Melwood training ground last week, says the Daily Mail.