Liverpool have confirmed that they are going to miss the service of James Milner for at least a month with the hamstring pull he suffered against Manchester City on Sunday.
Milner stretched his muscle on the half hour mark at Anfield in reaching for a loose pass and felt a severe pain on his hamstring forcing him to be subbed off early. His sudden departure didn’t strain the Red’s midfield and they were able to share the points with the defending champions courtesy of Riyad Mahrez’s penalty miss. But the injury comes as a huge blow to Jurgen Klopp’s men as they have to make a do without the England International till the end of the November. However, according to reports from Daily Mail, Milner has only a tear in his hamstring muscle and it’s not serious as it looks to the relief of the agonizing Liverpool fans.
Milner has been a constructive piece to Klopp’s plan ever since the manager took charge. Like last season, James produced a strong partnership with fellow countrymen Jordan Henderson and new arrival Naby Keita to make his side one of resilient forces this season. He proved a pivotal character in keeping the ball in possession, interpreting play and scoring goals. The manager used him constantly in each of the competition Liverpool played so far declaring his importance to the team over and over again. But now his presence on the pitch in almost every single game caused a backdrop on his fitness. Hence, Klopp has to go for a rotation in the midfield with this vibrant playmaker set to miss out clashes against Cardiff, Huddersfield and Arsenal in the Premier league and two meetings with Red Star Belgrade in European outing.
This means, summer signing from Monaco, Fabinho is in contention to replace Milner in the three man midfield. The Brazilian is yet to given a strong role to play by Klopp after making the deal and this could help him get more game time in future. For the Ligue 1 outfit, Fabinho cut a dominant figure for them in the midfield. His versatility alongside the creative Naby Keita can change the dynamism for the Reds in chase for major honours this season. If not otherwise, Adam Lallana can make a comeback to the starting line up with the ex-Southampton player nursing an injury for over a season.
