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Reds star Thiago 'is facing ANOTHER spell on the sidelines' due to muscle injury

  /  autty

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is reportedly facing another lay-off after sustaining a muscle injury during his five-minute cameo return against Arsenal.

The former Spain international, 32, came off the bench at the Emirates Stadium to play his first football in 10 months after a hip problem.

But according to The Times, Thiago suffered a new setback during that brief appearance to deal Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp a fresh injury blow.

Thiago is in the final few months of his Liverpool contract but Klopp was hoping to draw on the midfielder's experience as they compete in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup final and the Europa League in the weeks ahead.

Prior to Sunday, Thiago's last Liverpool appearance was in their 2-1 Premier League win at West Ham back on April 26 last year.

It isn't known how long Thiago will be sidelined for but it comes ahead of a crunch set of games for Liverpool, who sit two points ahead of Manchester City at the Premier League summit.

They will hope to get back on track following their loss to Arsenal when they host Burnley on Saturday before games against Brentford and Luton.

The Reds then take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on February 25 before hosting Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round on February 28.

Thiago joins fellow midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and forward Mohamed Salah on the treatment table. Both have hamstring injuries.

However, Klopp will be boosted by the return of Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo following their elimination from the Asian Cup.

Andy Robertson could be handed a first start against Burnley since he returned from a dislocated shoulder suffered playing for Scotland in October.

With Ibrahima Konate suspended after he was sent off for two bookings against Arsenal, Robertson could return at left-back with Joe Gomez moving alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

Related: ArsenalLiverpool