Liverpool winger Luis Diaz has suffered a new injury ahead of the restart of Premier League football, with manager Jurgen Klopp describing the news as a ‘smash in the face’.
The Colombia international has been out since October with a knee issue but was working towards a comeback.
Liverpool are currently in Dubai for a warm weather training camp ahead of their return to competitive action next week.
But the 25-year-old suffered a fresh setback during a training session and The Athletic has reported that he could now face three months out following surgery.
"He was not in the best possible place,” Klopp said.
“It's clear it's a big disappointment for all of us, for him as well.
"It was a non-situation in training, honestly. Nothing [then he] felt something. [He] didn't feel a lot [the] next day but we wanted to be really cautious and said, 'OK, come on, let's have a look’.
"Then the news came, and it was a proper smash in the face.”
Diaz flew back from Dubai at the end of last week and has since had surgery on his lateral collateral ligament, according to The Athletic.
He scored four goals in 12 games in all competitions this season before being sidelined.
Liverpool return to competitive action against Manchester City next Thursday in the League Cup Round of 16, before the Premier League restarts with a Boxing Day trip to Aston Villa.
The Reds are currently sixth in the standings after 14 games, 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and five points outside the top four.
Klopp’s side lost a friendly to Lyon 3-1 on Sunday and face AC Milan on Friday before heading home.
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