Fabinho ruled out until 2020

Liverpool will be without Fabinho until next year due to ankle ligament damage

Liverpool have confirmed Fabinho will miss six to eight weeks after sustaining ankle ligament damage. The Brazilian limped off in the first half of Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw with Napoli at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp earlier explained how worried he was after the draw, claiming the injury could be ‘massive’.

And Liverpool have confirmed on Friday that the former Monaco man will miss the rest of 2019.

A statement from the Anfiled club on Friday reads: "Liverpool can confirm Fabinho suffered ankle ligament damage during the Champions League encounter with Napoli in midweek.

"The midfielder needed to be substituted after 18 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday night after falling awkwardly during a challenge.

"Further assessment on the injury has discovered Fabinho will be out of action until the New Year.

"The Brazilian will begin a rehabilitation programme with the Reds’ medical team at Melwood as he works his way back to full fitness."

The absence of Fabinho, who has been in fine form this season, comes as a huge blow to Jurgen Klopp ahead of a hectic period of matches and it also points out why the Reds need to strengthen from the market in January.