Thiago facing further time on sidelines after suffering new injury
- Thiago suffered a hip injury which had sidelined him since April 2023
- Midfielder finally made his return in a five-minute cameo off the bench against Arsenal
- 32-year-old's contract expires this summer
By Tom Gott
Thiago Alcantara is facing a new spell on the sidelines after picking up another injury on his first appearance of the season for Liverpool.
The 32-year-old midfielder battled a hip problem in the second half of last season and was officially sidelined in April 2023 with what few expected to be such a significant issue.
Indeed, Thiago only made his return to action last weekend, over nine months later, coming off the bench for the final five minutes of the Reds' 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
It may be the last time Liverpool fans see Thiago for a while as The Times state the midfielder picked up an injury during his short outing which will send him back to the sidelines for a little while longer.
Thiago's latest injury is said to be muscular and could keep him out of action for a number of weeks.
Thiago is in the final six months of his contract with Liverpool, who will soon be forced into a decision on the Spaniard's future.
A return to Barcelona has been touted, while 90min understands both Thiago and Joel Matip will be offered the chance to swap Liverpool for Al Ettifaq by Steven Gerrard at the end of the campaign.
Manager Jurgen Klopp remains without fellow midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, who has a hamstring injury which could keep him out of the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea later this month. Mohamed Salah is also still ruled out with the hamstring issue he picked up during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate is suspended for this weekend's meeting with Burnley after his sending off against Arsenal.