Liverpool Youngster Suffers Ruptured Syndesmosis

Liverpool got some good news with Adam Lallana returning to training and likely to be fit to face Chelsea on Tuesday, but it’s less positive for Nathaniel Clyne, who remains an absence due to a slight tear in his abdominal muscles. Meanwhile, the news is even worse for promising youngster Ovie Ejaria.

“He got a knock in the first half and at half-time had treatment,” Klopp told reporters gathered at his pre-match press conference when asked about Ejaria’s status. “Everyone was asking if he was okay and he said he was, but then he woke up the next morning and it was very swollen.”

Scans have since revealed a ruptured syndesmosis, or a severe high ankle sprain. It is not yet known if surgery will be required to repair damage to the ligaments immediately above the ankle joint, but it’s possible that the 19-year-old could now be out for up to six weeks recovering from the injury.

Meanwhile, Marko Grujic and Danny Ings remain long-term absences. All other players will be available for Klopp heading into the Chelsea match, though, including Sadio Mané—though in his case, a bench role may be more likely given he is only returning today from the Africa Cup of Nations.

“Now it’s all good and he will be here tonight,” Klopp noted. “Then we will have to see. I spoke to him, and we will be in tomorrow morning and then we have to make a decision. In this moment I have no idea—I will have to look in his eyes, see whatever is possible with him, and then make a decision.”