Liverpool star Thiago has reportedly suffered a muscle injury just days after returning from a 10-month absence. The midfielder is claimed to have picked up the fresh problem in the final moments of the Reds’ Premier League defeat against Arsenal.
Thiago played the final five minutes against the Gunners, his first appearance of the season. The Brazilian is said to have ‘felt’ an issue in a muscle and could be sidelined again, according to the Mirror.
It is unclear how long the experienced ace is set to miss with the injury. He had only just returned to full training after undergoing hip surgery last May.
Thiago played only 18 Premier League matches last season, with his hip problem keeping him out for two separate periods of the campaign. He missed eight top-flight games between February and April, before playing his final game of the 2022-23 term on April 30.
He underwent a ‘minor procedure’ a month later and endured a tough 10 months on the sidelines. Head coach Jurgen Klopp was hoping to have the 32-year-old available for the Premier League run-in.
The report says that Liverpool hope his fresh injury is only a small problem. It could even be a minor setback on his road to a full recovery.
Thiago only returned to training in the week prior to Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea last Wednesday. Klopp hailed it as an ‘incredible moment’, but will now have concern over the former Bayern Munich player’s availability for the remainder of the season.
“Thiago trained [fully for the] first time, which was an incredible moment,” Klopp said last week. “After all the months he couldn’t, and then trains at the level he trains…[wow]. But he needs time. Anyway, a wonderful, wonderful sign.”
Liverpool have struggled with a spate of injuries this season, although they remain top of the Premier League despite Sunday’s 3-1 defeat against Arsenal. Thiago’s setback is especially frustrating after Klopp lost Dominik Szoboszlai for the trip to north London.
The attacking midfielder had only recently recovered from a hamstring injury. His new problem is believed to be in the same area.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah is continuing his recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered while playing for Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations. The winger flew home from the tournament prematurely to receive treatment on Merseyside.
