Liverpool are ‘optimistic’ that Yasser Larouci was not seriously injured by the shocking challenge that forced him out of Sunday’s friendly meeting with Sevilla.
The teenager was stretchered off in the second half of a 2-1 defeat for the Reds at Fenway Park in Boston after taking a kick from Joris Gnagnon.
Incensed by the referee’s failure to award his team a free-kick moments earlier, the Sevilla defender lashed out at Larouci after the ball had long gone.
Gnagnon was red carded for the incident, and later released a statement on social media apologising for his actions.
It read: "I would like to publicly apologise to Liverpool, the family of the player and the supporters.
"It was a heinous act on my part for whatever reason and should not be seen on a football field. All my prayers are with the player and the family."
Fortunately, Gnagon’s tackle has caused heavy bruising to Larouci’s femur, rather than a break that seemed likely as the youngster left the field.
As a result, the Reds’ medical staff expect the 18-year-old to be out for no longer than a matter of weeks, though that time frame could reduce further opportunities in pre-season.
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