Rarely does an international break pass without at least one high-profile injury, so no one is going to come out of it entirely happy.
It just so happens that this time it’s Liverpool’s turn to bear the brunt of the bad luck, after midfielder Gini Wijnaldum left the pitch in the Netherlands’ defeat to France with what looked like a hamstring problem.
The Dutch midfielder has impressed since his big-money summer move from Newcastle United, providing balance in the Reds’ midfield as they have lost just once in their first seven Premier League games.
So he’ll no doubt be tough to replace, especially with a league meeting with Manchester United on the horizon.
Sorry to say Liverpool fans, but I think Gini Wijnaldum has just gone his hammy.. 😔 #endinternationalbreaks
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) October 10, 2016
France won 1-0 at the Amsterdam Arena, with Man United midfielder Paul Pogba scoring the only goal of the game from distance, but Liverpool supporters aren’t too bothered that their rivals’ record signing is receiving most of the plaudits.
They’re far more concerned with their own midfield man, who could also be a doubt for the league meeting with West Bromwich Albion and the EFL Cup fourth round tie with Tottenham, depending on the extent of his injury.
Jürgen Klopp’s team could end up with a double blow for the Monday night match, with Adam Lallana also thought to be touch-and-go for the upcoming game.
Georginio Wijnaldum injured his hamstring tonight on international duty. Big blow this for @lfc
— The Shankly Way (@theshanklyway18) October 10, 2016
Omg why does wijnaldum have to get injured hate international breaks 😡
— Jordan smithy (@jordansmithy97) October 10, 2016
Gini Wijnaldum off with a hamstring injury for Holland. Him and Lallana both doubts for the United game.
— Jack Sear (@JackSear) October 10, 2016
Can we stop allowing our player go for international breaks? @lfc. Just look at wijnaldum now.
— GYM IKE (@Collins_Okpe) October 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/NumberNineNas/status/785586113775665152
It could still be worse, though, and some are grateful that there is more depth in the Reds squad than at times last season.
https://twitter.com/Gxorge_O/status/785573031213162496
Gini Wijnaldum is injured, seems to be the typical hamstring injury. Time for Emre Can to step up. #lfc
— max riegel (@sefendo) October 10, 2016
At the time of writing there has been no comment on the extent of the injury from the Dutch FA or from inside the Liverpool camp, but this is to be expected.
Klopp will likely be in a position to update fans on the midfielder’s fitness later in the week, during his pre-match press conference ahead of the United game.
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