Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said the midfielder, Fabinho, is expected to miss the next two Premier League matches, but he may recover in time before facing Manchester City.
The 27-year-old Brazilian, who recently held the center back due to injuries to several of his teammates, missed the 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last Thursday, due to a muscle injury.
Defending champions Liverpool will play West Ham United on Sunday before hosting Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, then face Manchester City on February 7th.
“The lowest injury now takes the player 3 games away. It depends on the week of injury and it could be up to four games. We’ll see what happens,” Klopp told reporters before facing fifth-placed West Ham.
“It is expected that the match that will see Fabinho return will be Manchester City.”
Klopp confirmed that Naby Keita, who had not played since the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace last month, was close to recovering from injury.
Liverpool are fourth in the league with 37 points from 20 games, seven points behind leaders City, which means that the match between them may be decisive in the form of competition this season.