Martin Skrtel won’t rush to Liverpool’s defense anytime soon.
Skrtel revealed Tuesday on Instagram he suffered a torn hamstring in Liverpool’s Premier League loss to Watford three days prior. Liverpool neither publicized the results of Skrtel’s MRI nor set a timetable for his return. The Slovakian used social media in an effort to deny rumors, which claimed he would miss three months of action due to the muscle injury.
Skrtel’s absence leaves Liverpool dangerously thin at center back, as a game-packed stretch of the season approaches. Kolo Toure is healthy but the Ivorian veteran has yet to start a Premier League game this season.
Mamadou Sakho returned from a knee injury last weekend. Dejan Lovren damaged his knee on Dec. 15 and is fighting to be healthy enough to face Leicester City on Saturday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp could use midfielders Emre Can or Lucas Leiva as cover at center-back. Klopp also could call up an untested defender from Liverpool’s U-21 squad.
Skrtel, 31, continues to be Liverpool’s defensive rock, having started 21 of the Reds’ 26 games this season.
The depth of Liverpool’s defensive unit now faces the most serious of tests.
Skrtel will be out until early February. Liverpool will play Premier League games against Leicester City, Sunderland, West Ham United, Arsenal, Manchester United and Norwich City without Skrtel. The Reds also will play two Capital One Cup semifinal games against Stoke City and one FA Cup third-round game against Exeter City.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@TeleFootball
