Fabinho injury quashes 'lucky' Liverpool claims

While Man City have suffered a plethora of injuries this season, Liverpool's problems in the medical department are also beginning to mount.

Reds fans are awaiting the diagnosis of Fabinho's ankle issue with bated breath, after the Brazilian was forced off in Wednesday night's 1-1 draw with Napoli.

With Joel Matip still yet to make a return and Mohamed Salah recovering from an ankle problem, the niggles are beginning to bite for Jurgen Klopp.

Many City fans have bemoaned their side's luck with injuries this season, with several key players sidelined.

Admittedly, City have faced somewhat of a defensive crisis.

Aymeric Laporte remains ruled out until the New Year after undergoing surgery on a knee injury, while John Stones, Benjamin Mendy and Oleksandr Zinchenko have all missed several weeks.

Leroy Sane is also sidelined with a long-term problem, while Ederson missed the defeat at Anfield and Sergio Aguero is set to miss upcoming games with another muscle issue.

But Liverpool haven't had it all their own way either.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, one of Liverpool's top performers last season, missed 11 games after tearing his calf on the opening day.

Alisson Becker waits to receive medical attention during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 9, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Another key man, Joel Matip, has missed 10 games and remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Naby Keita was absent for seven games, while Xherdan Shaqiri has only just returned to contention for first team duties.

Salah has been struggling with an ankle issue since the win over Leicester, and missed the draw at Old Trafford.

Andy Robertson has also been managing an ankle problem, which he was forced to rest during the last international break.

The severity of Fabinho's injury is yet to be established, but Jurgen Klopp admitted after the Napoli draw that it was his biggest concern of the night.

Mo Salah holds his troublesome left ankle after a challenge from Fernandinho (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Reds face nine games in a chaotic December, including key Premier League games, a and two Club World Cup ties.

Further problems could be on the horizon, given the volume of matches.

If one thing's certain, everybody connected with Liverpool will be hoping Fabinho is absent for a matter of weeks, rather than months.