Jordan Henderson is expected to miss the next six to eight weeks after the Liverpool captain underwent surgery on an adductor injury.
Henderson pulled up with a groin problem during last Saturday’s derby defeat by Everton and scans revealed an operation would be required. He will be absent for at least five Liverpool games and England’s World Cup qualifying triple header at the end of March.
The news is the latest setback to befall Jürgen Klopp in a campaign plagued by injuries and problems, and comes with Liverpool facing a fight to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
A club statement said: “Henderson has successfully had a corrective procedure carried out on the adductor injury. He will begin a rehabilitation programme immediately. No specific timescale is being placed upon his return; however, the 30-year-old is ruled out initially until after the March international break.
“Henderson’s recovery will be closely monitored by the club’s medical department and his progression during his rehab work will determine when he is able to resume full training.”
Klopp was not optimistic about a swift return when asked on Friday how long he expected to be without his captain. “I don’t know the best case scenario,” the Liverpool manager said. “It is not a quick one but we all hope there is still a possibility for him to play a few games this season. We will see.” Henderson would be available for the final five or six matches of the Premier League season even with an eight week lay-off.
The midfielder has been deputising in central defence recently as a result of injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joël Matip and Fabinho. Only Fabinho is expected to return this season and Klopp’s centre-back options for Sunday’s visit to Sheffield United include the new signings Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies, plus Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams.
Henderson will miss Thursday’s home game against Chelsea, which could have major repercussions for Liverpool’s chances of a top-four finish, and the Champions League last-16 second leg against RB Leipzig. He could also be absent for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, scheduled for 6-7 April, should Liverpool advance. They lead Leipzig 2-0.
England play World Cup qualifiers at home to San Marino and Poland and away to Albania.
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Klopp could have Diogo Jota back for the visit to Bramall Lane after the Portugal international resumed full training on Wednesday after a knee injury. But he cautioned: “Diogo trained twice this week and looks very good but it’s been a long time so we have to see.”
Fabinho and James Milner are not due back in training until Saturday after muscle injuries and Klopp said no decision had been taken on Alisson’s availability for Sunday. The Liverpool keeper’s father, José, drowned this week in Brazil.
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