Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri is facing a race to be fit for the start of the season after it emerged he tore his calf last month.
Shaqiri reported back at Melwood on Monday morning after ending the previous campaign by limping out of Switzerland's UEFA Nations League defeat to England on June 9.
The 27-year-old had the damage assessed by Liverpool's medical team with Jurgen Klopp confirming the player is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.
“Shaq is still injured from the national team and it will take a while until he is in again,” the Reds boss told liverpoolfc.com.
“He has a tear in his calf, so he will not be involved for a while.”
While no timescale has been set for his return, Shaqiri is expected to be available for the latter stages of Liverpool's pre-season programme.
But the injury is particularly untimely with fellow forwards Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah only just beginning their summer break after international duty and Sadio Mane still at the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.
Divock Origi, who also returned to Melwood on Monday, is the Reds' only available senior forward at present. Liverpool are increasingly hopeful the Belgian, who is in the final year of his contract, can agree a new deal in the coming weeks.
Teenage striker Rhian Brewster, still to make a senior appearance, is also available for Liverpool's pre-season programme, which begins at League One neighbours Tranmere Rovers on Thursday, with Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson and Ryan Kent other options.
The Reds then travel to Bradford City on Sunday before jetting out for their US tour, which takes in games against Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Sporting Lisbon.
Shaqiri would have had a chance to strengthen his first-team claims having rarely featured during the closing weeks of the previous campaign.
Instead, he will now concentrate on ensuring his fitness for the start of the Premier League season at home to Norwich City on August 9.
