Liverpool keeper Loris Karius reportedly out 8-10 weeks with broken hand

Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has reportedly been ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a broken hand, dealing The Reds another setback before the Premier League season even begins.

The German keeper, who transferred to Liverpool from Mainz this summer, will fly home Friday, per the Liverpool Echo. He is expected to undergo surgery on his right hand and miss 8 to 10 weeks. It’s suspected that the hand injury occurred in a clash with teammate Dejan Lovren in the box in Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea in the International Champions Cup.

Jurgen Klopp can add Karius to a growing list of players who will be out injured or are questionable to be available to begin Liverpool’s campaign. Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Lucas Leiva and Marko Grujic are all on the mend with various injuries.

Karius’ injury could be the biggest blow of them all, as the summer purchase figured to be the No. 1 keeper for Liverpool. Now, Klopp will have to turn to backup and displaced starter Simon Mignolet to hold down the fort in Liverpool’s opener against Arsenal and beyond.

The biggest fear of preseason is picking up an injury during exhibition games, but the fact is that the matches are a necessary evil to get players up to match fitness. For Liverpool, who are conducting their preseason tour in the U.S., the injury bug has reared its ugly head again.

Hopefully their luck turns around soon.

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