Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has conceded an injury to Fabinho is “massive” after the club’s 1-1 draw with Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The 26-year-old midfielder lasted just 20 minutes at Anfield as he was forced from the field with an apparent ankle injury following a heavy challenge.
Fabinho was already set to miss the Reds’ match against Brighton in the Premier League through suspension but could now miss further matches as Klopp looks to keep momentum during a congested month.
The German admitted the early signs are not great for his midfielder, whose long-term loss could be a huge blow for Liverpool.
“The biggest thing is the Fabinho injury, that’s massive,” Klopp told BT Sport post-match.
“It’s early and we all hope it’s not too serious but it’s pretty painful and in an area you don’t want to have pain, around the ankle.”
Fabinho has already made 18 appearances for Liverpool this campaign with the club poised to now play nine matches across a busy December.
Klopp was ultimately handed a yellow card for engaging with the officials, though he said his comments were a plea for leniency rather than anything aggressive.
“‘Don’t do that’, that’s what I said, because they made a big fuss of the situation,” he said.
“We all said there’s an opportunity for both teams to have a quick restart and he had things to say. So I said ‘Why do you do that, please don’t do that’.”
The Reds are currently top of Group E, one point ahead of Napoli and three points clear of Salzburg.
