Manager Jurgen Klopp on Friday revealed Joe Allen is facing a spell on the sidelines with a muscle injury and confirmed Dejan Lovren will miss Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa — but there was better news elsewhere in the fitness stakes for Liverpool.
The pair picked up knocks in the first half of last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland at Anfield that required them both to be substituted before the interval.
However, while Lovren’s issue isn’t thought to be too serious, with the center-back penciled in for a return ahead of next week’s UEFA Europa League game with Augsburg, Allen will require a period on the treatment table.
In more positive news, Steven Caulker is available again for the clash at Villa Park after a back problem, while Martin Skrtel has resumed outdoor training following a hamstring complaint.
“Joe unfortunately is out for a while,” Klopp said at his pregame press conference. “I think he is a good example: he was in a good way — a really good way — and we tried to manage playing time after his injury when I came here.
“Then he was in good shape, got a little knock on the shoulder, played against Sunderland, and I think in the perfect moment of his shape, the muscle stops. Not because of intensity, only because this is how it is.
“In an ideal world, you have a long-term preseason, then play without injuries and nothing will happen. But I think we have to wait a little bit for him, it’s a muscle thing.”
Offering an update on his defensive ranks for the clash with Villa, Klopp continued: “(Lovren won’t be fit) for Aston Villa but hopefully for the next game. It’s not a big thing, it’s more about a strange feeling in the muscle.
“It’s the same — he was injured and pushed back. It’s not a real serious thing, but for Aston Villa he has no opportunity.
“Martin Skrtel is back on the pitch outside but needs his time. Steven had a back problem before the West Ham game. After West Ham, he was still in rehab, but yesterday, he trained normal, so he is available.”
