Liverpool defender Nathaniel Clyne is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Clyne, 28, sustained the injury in the final moments of the Reds’ first game of their United States tour - a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in South Bend, Indiana.
With swelling around the knee preventing a swift diagnosis, Clyne was forced to wait until Sunday before flying home from Boston to contemplate a long stint out of action.
However, the club’s medical staff were buoyed by the nature of his ACL tear, which they believe is ‘clean’ enough to heal in as little as six months following surgery.
That prognosis offers a stark contrast to that of Clyne’s teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain prior to spending 12 months out as a result of multiple ligament damage in his knee.
As such, it is hoped that Englishman will be available for selection before the end of the 2019-20 season should his recovery go to plan.
With Clyne’s contract set to expire at the end of the coming campaign, he had been expected to depart Anfield this summer in search of regular football.
In Pictures | Liverpool vs Borussia Dortmund | 20/07/2019
But the former Crystal Palace man’s focus will now be on returning to full fitness in time to play some part for Klopp’s team this term.
