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After a crippling September break, Liverpool players getting injured while on international duty continues to be a theme in October. Word today out of the Croatia camp today is that Dejan Lovren is out, replaced by Gordon Schildenfeld after tearing a muscle in his abdomen during training.
The full extent of the injury isn't yet known, but it is serious enough that he will miss both Friday's match against Bulgaria and Monday's against Azerbaijan. The defender has been sent back to Liverpool, where the club will examine him to determine the severity of the injury and he will undergo any necessary treatment.
No matter exactly what it is that the club's doctors find, it is unlikely that Lovren would be fit in time for their next match. This leaves Liverpool to hope that Mamadou Sakho recovers quickly from his own injury. If he can, it could be his chance to prove he belongs in the starting eleven.
If, on the other hand, Sakho's recovery takes longer than expected, Liverpool could now face an extended spell with only Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure available for selection at centre half.
