LIVERPOOL were handed yet another injury blow on Saturday as James Milner was forced off versus Brighton.
The midfielder went down in the 73rd minute of the lunchtime kick-off while holding his hamstring.
James Milner was forced off injured against Brighton on SaturdayCredit: Getty – Pool
Jurgen Klopp comforted the midfielder as he headed off the fieldCredit: AFP or licensors
And the Reds were forced to substitute Milner for Curtis Jones as they looked to see out their 1-0 lead.
Jurgen Klopp has already had to contend with a mountain of injury problems in his defence this campaign.
Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Joe Gomez have all been sent to the treatment room.
Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson have all spent time out recently, although the captain did return on Saturday.
The issues have led to Klopp being a vocal critic of early Saturday matches for teams playing in Europe, with the Reds having faced Atalanta on Wednesday.
Klopp engaged in a terse discussion with BT Sport reporter Des Kelly after the game, declaring: “I only go for the broadcasters when we have to play Wednesday and 12.30pm on a Saturday.
We’ve had this slot three times. Look who else had it three times: nobody.
Jurgen Klopp
“Only seven managers have a similar problem and they all agree. In this season it’s a bigger problem, and it’s not okay.
“We’ve had this slot three times. Look who else had it three times: nobody.”
Liverpool were not the only side to suffer at the AmEx however, with Brighton losing Neal Maupay and Adam Lallana to injuries during the game.
Maupay missed a penalty in the first-half for Brighton before coming off only moments later.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane had goals ruled out for offside either side of Diogo Jota’s 60th minute strike.
And Klopp was left fuming when Brighton grabbed a point with a stoppage-time penalty from Pascal Gross.
Since the stunning 7-2 loss to Aston Villa, the reigning champions have drawn three of their six games in the league.
Fabinho injury leaves Liverpool in defensive crisis as Brazilian limps off against Midtjylland with Van Dijk out too
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
