After losing to FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals 3-0, it was hard to imagine that things could get worse for Liverpool.
On Thursday, they did.
Liverpool found out that Keita, who left after 24 minutes at the Camp Nou, will miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.
The Guinean midfielder is expected to miss around 2 months of action, meaning that he won’t be available for the rest of Liverpool’s season. This includes a crucial second leg of their tie against Barcelona as well as the final two games of the Premier League season.
Keita is also expected to be unable to play for Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations, the continent’s premier international competition. It will take place in June and July.
The 23-year-old has been one of the Reds’ best players this season, gradually gaining more playing time during the progression of the season. He’s scored 3 total goals and provided one assist for the team.
The good news for Liverpool is that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who plays the same position as Keita, is due to return from injury this weekend against Newcastle United. He is expected to be available for Liverpool’s home game against Barcelona next Tuesday.
This lessens the blow of an injury that could’ve been devastating for Liverpool.
