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Liverpool have confirmed via their official website that midfielder Emre Can will be sidelined for four to six weeks because of ruptured ankle ligaments.
The Germany international was substituted late on during Liverpool’s astonishing Europa League comeback over Borussia Dortmund on Thursday.
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Liverpool maintain hope that Can could feature again before the end of the season, but he will miss their Europa League semi-final meeting with Villarreal.
Can has made 46 appearances for the Reds in all competitions this campaign – as many as any other outfield player – and 43 of those have been starts.
This news will come as a huge blow to Jurgen Klopp, who seemed to view Can as one of his most trusted figures, and is already without Jordan Henderson.
The Liverpool captain is facing a six-week layoff of his own after suffering lateral collateral ligament damage in his knee in the first leg versus Dortmund.
Can’s injury is likely to mean a more prominent role for Lucas Leiva for the remainder of the season, and more opportunities for Joe Allen and Kevin Stewart.
That sort of midfield lineup might be good enough to keep Liverpool ticking over in the Premier League, but could hamper their quest for Europa League glory.
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