Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Naby Keita has kicked his last ball for Liverpool this season, and is likely to miss the Africa Nations Cup in the summer.
Keita had begun to find form for the Reds, and scored three goals in his five appearances prior to Wednesday's Champions League semi-final, first leg at Barcelona .
But he sustained a thigh injury in the first half at the Nou Camp, and was replaced by Jordan Henderson after 24 minutes of the game, with the Reds going on to lose 3-0.
"It’s very unlucky. Bad news," said Klopp at his press conference ahead of Saturday evening's trip to Newcastle , where only a win will suffice to give Liverpool a realistic chance of winning the Premier League.
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"The tendon is ruptured which keeps him out for at least two months. Bad news for us but bad news for him too with the African Cup of Nations coming up.
"He was in a really good moment but that is how football and life sometimes are. It’s not nice but it’s very serious."
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This is the first year that the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in the summer, with the finals kicking off in Egypt in June.
Keita's Guinea are in Group B with Nigeria, Madagascar and Burundi, with the group stage matches scheduled for June 22-30.
Liverpool are at present due to kick-off their pre-season with a trip to America, with the first match scheduled to be against Borussia Dortmund in Indiana on July 19, although they are likely to play some domestic friendlies before then.
