Jurgen Klopp’s headache aggravates during the international break as his attacking options have further been trimmed down.
Liverpool’s Takumi Minamino has been forced to withdraw from the Japan squad due to an injury, the nation’s Football Association announced on Saturday.
Minamino did not feature in Japan’s World Cup qualifier match against Oman on Thursday despite being available as a substitute.
The 26-year-old was probably being saved for the crunch clash with China next week, but he will play no part in that game unfortunately as well as in the subsequent game against Saudi Arabia after being forced onto the treatment table.
The nature and extent of his injury is unspecified for now but the player is set to fly back to Merseyside to be assessed by Liverpool‘s medical staff.
Jurgen Klopp will be sweating over the fitness of Minamino especially considering Roberto Firmino is also out injured with a hamstring problem. Liverpool resume Premier League action in about a week’s time by paying a visit to Leeds United.
A statement released by the Japanese FA on their official website reads: “Midfielder Takumi Minamino (Liverpool FC) has been withdrawn from the team due to an injury ahead of the Asian final qualifying (Road to Qatar) China national team match.
“We will inform you of additional convened players to replace Minamino as soon as they are decided.”
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