Thiago Alcantara injury: Liverpool star ruled out until new year with knee issues

The Spain midfielder is still out with a knee injury suffered in the Merseyside derby

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool will be without Thiago Alcantara until January with the Spain midfielder still experiencing issues with his knee.

Thiago has not featured for the Reds since last month’s Merseyside derby when he was the victim of a late challenge from Richarlison, which earned him a red card.

Despite featuring in light training already, the former Bayern Munich star is not able to join group sessions or contact training until the new year.

READ MORE: Liverpool push on with plans for £60m Anfield Road expansion

However, there has been no setback and no surgery is required but it has meant Thiago has played just 45 minutes at Chelsea and 90 minutes against Everton.

"Thiago we have to maybe clarify it a little bit," said manager Jurgen Klopp.

Thiago is not ready to return yet (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"On that day when Thiago got injured in that challenge in the Everton game, there was another bad injury (to Virgil van Dijk) and after the scans it was like one was really bad news and the other one was really good news because nothing was broken, nothing was ruptured and stuff like this.

"But, as we realise now, it was still a massive impact on the knee. The problem is in a situation like that, nothing is ruptured and nothing is broken and that means everybody thinks, 'OK, you can go after a few days', but the impact on the leg was that big that it is still not OK.

"It is not massive and he trains from time to time, not in the moment because we just have to realise that we have to go a few further steps.

"I can't say exactly when he will be fine, but it will take a few weeks still with Thiago."

Klopp will again have to juggle his limited resources - midfielder Naby Keita has a chance of being fit but Trent Alexander-Arnold is still a little way from being ready - for the Champions League visit of Ajax.

A draw will be enough for Liverpool to qualify for the knockout stage, by virtue of a better head-to-head against both the Dutch side and Atalanta, and mean next month's match against Midtjylland will be of less significance and Klopp could rest players.

"I actually don't see it in that perspective. That would mean I could count on the points already," said Klopp.

"We deal with the situation how it is. Three points would be great, absolutely great, and it is so clear it would help us massively but I didn't think I'd have to mention it.

"It is an important game against a really good team, that's the way we want to approach it."

The club will this week submit a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the proposed expansion of its Anfield Road Stand.

Plans for the submission - to increase capacity by 7,000 to over 61,000 - were paused in spring this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the application, the club is also seeking permanent permission to hold concerts and major events at the Stadium.

PA