Liverpool will be without midfielder Harvey Elliott for at least a month after he suffered a fractured foot during the international break.
Elliott reported discomfort when training with England’s Under 21s last week and underwent further assessments upon his early return to Merseyside.
He now faces a period of recovery during a hectic schedule for his side.
Liverpool hope the setback is not too serious, with Elliott targeting the first game following the next international break for his return. Liverpool host Chelsea on Oct 20 after the next round of Nations League matches.
The timing of the injury is especially unfortunate as Elliott was in line to feature more in the coming weeks as the Champions League campaign gets under way, and Liverpool will begin their Carabao Cup defence against West Ham United later this month.
Arne Slot has earmarked Elliott for a deeper midfield role in his rejigged side, the 21-year-old more likely to be used as an attacking central midfielder rather than wide midfielder moving forward.
He impressed Slot during pre-season but has so far been restricted to substitute appearances during the Dutch manager’s 100 per cent winning start to his Liverpool career.
An added frustration is that Elliott will be hoping to break into the senior England side over the coming months and certainly during the course of the World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Liverpool youngster has been one of Lee Carsley’s most consistent players during the England’s caretaker manager’s Under-21 reign and will back himself to make the next step.
The same applies to club mate Curtis Jones, who most likely would have been involved in the Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland but for a groin issue. Jones is nearing his first team return having continued his recuperation during the past fortnight.
Liverpool will also be checking on the fitness of Alexis Mac Allister who suffered an abductor muscle injury while away with Argentina.
On the plus side, new signing Federico Chiesa has used the last two weeks to sharpen his fitness and will be pushing for inclusion in the squad that faces Nottingham Forest at Anfield this weekend.
