Liverpool suffer double injury blow as star player targets return vs Manchester United

Liverpool have suffered a double injury blow with goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota sidelined ahead of next month's Premier League showdown with Manchester United.

Jota is set to miss the Anfield match with United but Liverpool are hopeful Allison will be fit to face Erik ten Hag's side. The goalkeeper picked up a hamstring injury during the closing stages of the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad.

Liverpool expect him to miss five games with the United fixture the targeted return date for the Brazil international. Forward Jota also suffered a hamstring problem early in the second half. He has scored eight goals in 17 appearances this term.

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said on Wednesday of the duo: "Both are out. With Ali it's a bit lesser, so we have to see. Not day by day he cannot play tomorrow or Sunday, probably not the week after but then should be kind of okay."

That would mean the Brazilian is set to miss games against LASK, Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace. Liverpool then play Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League three days before welcoming United to Anfield in the Premier League, although it is unclear at this stage whether Alisson will be risked for the midweek fixture.

Speaking about Jota, Klopp added: "Diogo will take a little bit longer, we don't know exactly how long. We have to see. Is Alisson as bad as we feared? No, but bad enough."

Liverpool are already without midfield duo Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic while Andy Robertson is also sidelined. All three are long-term absentees.

"We have a lot not available," added Klopp. "Thiago and Robbo