The September international break is often viewed by club football fans as a pointless window where players could get injured, and Liverpool might now know this better than anyone.
This month has already seen Alexis Mac Allister pick up an injury with Argentina with the Liverpool midfielder not even in starting XI for yesterday’s 2-1 defeat against Colombia in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Although the Liverpool maestro came on via the bench, the fitness scare was enough to get the Reds to sweat, especially with Mac Allister one of Arne Slot’s most important players three games into the Premier League season.
And Liverpool have now suffered their first real injury blow this international break.
Harvey Elliott suffers fractured foot with England’s U-21s
According to the Telegraph, Harvey Elliott will be out for at least one month after fracturing his foot in training with England’s U-21s, with the midfielder feeling discomfort before a scan revealed the extent of the injury.
With Liverpool’s schedule quite intense leading up to the next international break in October, the timing of Elliott’s injury could not have come at a worse time for Slot, who could have used the midfielder as a rotation option for the likes of Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott from his hair to net worth
Hailed as ‘excellent’ by Garth Crooks, Elliott was set for a big year after once again establishing himself as a regular at Liverpool last season under Jurgen Klopp, with the 21-year-old quite experienced despite his age.
Yet with Liverpool back in UEFA Champions League action next week, Elliott being ruled out is a bitter blow for the youngster, who could have relished with the chance of playing in Europe’s elite club competition.
Elliott’s injury has come at the worst possible time
With plenty of games coming up for Liverpool between now and the next international break, September could have been a perfect month for Elliott to really make a name for himself and to gain the trust of Slot.
However, this injury has all-but ruined Elliott’s plans of breaking into the Liverpool starting XI and trying to win the favour of Slot, with the 21-year-old unlikely to play for the Reds until mid-October.
Indeed, Elliott missing September could have ramifications for how the midfielder’s season with Liverpool goes, and the youngster will be itching to return to action as soon as possible with the Anfield side.
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