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LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER RULED OUT UNTIL LATE NOVEMBER

Xherdan Shaqiri

Liverpool will be without Xherdan Shaqiri until late November due to his calf problem.

The 28-year-old midfielder has been out for a month and isn’t expected to return until after the next international break.

In theory, Shaqiri could return against Crystal Palace (a) on Saturday 23rd November, Napoli (h) on Wednesday 27th November or Brighton (h) on Saturday 30th November, but no exact date is being targeted at the moment.

The Reds’ midfielder has been undergoing treatment in Switzerland and had he been fit, he would almost certainly have figured in the League Cup against Arsenal on Wednesday. The player has repeatedly expressed his unhappiness at the lack of game time at Anfield when fit and continues to be linked with an exit despite boss Jürgen Klopp having said he still has an important part to play at the club. The game against Arsenal would have been ideal for him to have been given a run out.

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Speaking today, assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders commented: “Shaq will only be back after the international break.

“We want to give him the time. With a calf injury it is always very high risk, especially with his calves.”

Lijnders added that Joel Matip is also facing an extended break, following suggestions that he could be out for up to 6 weeks.

He said: “Joel’s knee is still irritated – we need to give him time. I don’t know the exact time he will need but it will really need time to heal.”

Mo Salah, who limped off with a sore ankle 5 minutes before the end of Sunday’s game against Tottenham, is “fine” and available for selection if required.