Naby Keita was forced to withdraw from the starting line-up before Liverpool’s win over Sheffield United on Monday night.
The Guinean midfielder looked all but set to feature at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp’s men extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table, but a groin injury in the warm-up, as confirmed by Matt Critchley, saw him drop out.
Twitter: Keita injured his right groin in the warm up (@MattCritchley1)
James Milner was called upon to replace Keita in the starting line-up, and the experienced Englishman delivered a composed performance, with the Reds now 13 points clear at the summit.
Keita has endured his fair share of injury woes already at Liverpool, and he will be desperately hoping that the extent of his groin issue is not severe.
Read Liverpool’s verdict
The injury comes at the worst possible time for both Keita and his team. Fixtures are coming thick and fast for the Reds, and losing yet another midfielder to the treatment table would be a big blow.
Keita himself has been in excellent form of late, too, and is arguably playing his best football since joining from RB Leipzig.
Klopp will be hoping and praying that the midfielder’s condition is not serious, as squad depth is set to be crucial for his side’s second half of the campaign.
