Mamadou Sakho injury: Liverpool defender out for two months with knee ligament damage

It is believed the centre-back has not sustained cruciate damage to the knee which could have sidelined him for the rest of the season.

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho limps off the field against Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

Liverpool centre-back Mamadou Sakho has been ruled out for eight weeks with knee ligament damage.

The club initially feared that the France international could be sidelined for the rest of the season, after he fell awkwardly during Sunday's defeat to Crystal Palace following an aerial challenge with Bakary Sako.

Sakho attempted to play on, which earned him the admiration of the Anfield crowd, but eventually had to be replaced and left the stadium on crutches.

A scan on Monday revealed ligament damage to his right knee but the player avoided sustaining cruciate damage that would result in an extended period of absence.

After meeting with a consultant on Tuesday, Sakho was ruled out for the busy Christmas period but a return has been pencilled in for the New Year.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has handed the 25-year-old a regular starting berth alongside Martin Skrtel since his arrival and has expressed his disappointment at losing the defender.

After Sunday's defeat, Klopp suggested losing Sakho was a more damaging blow than losing the match, claiming: “I would prefer to lose 4-1 and keep him in the team.”

The central defender's absence will hand the much-maligned Dejan Lovren the opportunity to claim a regular role in Klopp’s team.