Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara is reportedly set to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on a hip injury.
The 32-year-old has been forced out of the XI by Curtis Jones in recent weeks and did not make the squad for Sunday's seven-goal thriller against Tottenham Hotspur.
Thiago was present at Anfield to witness that 4-3 win for his side, but he was seen limping towards the benches, sparking fears of another injury layoff for the Spaniard.
Jurgen Klopp did not mention any specific issue for Thiago prior to the win over Spurs, and there was no update on his condition in Tuesday's pre-Fulham press conference either.
However, The Athletic now reports that the former Bayern Munich man will be forced to go under the knife to address a hip issue and will not play again this season as a result.
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Thiago initially sustained a hip injury before February's Merseyside derby victory over Everton, sitting out 10 successive games before making his comeback off the bench against Arsenal last month.
Thiago was also given cameos in wins over Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United last month, but the form of Jones and his fitness levels kept him out of the starting lineup.
Having continued to suffer from discomfort with his problem, Liverpool have decided to go down the surgical route, adding to Thiago's lengthy list of injuries since his arrival at Anfield.
When fit, the Spain international has been an indispensable member of Klopp's squad, coming up with three goals and six assists from 97 matches in all competitions since joining in 2020.
However, Thiago has also been forced to miss a total of 61 games through various injury and illness concerns, and he has been restricted to just 14 Premier League starts in the current season.
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Thiago, who will turn 33 next year, has now entered the final 18 months of his contract with Klopp's side, who already had five pre-existing injury concerns ahead of Wednesday's showdown with Fulham.
Thiago joins Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay on the long-term injury list, as the teenage duo have also been ruled out for the season with adductor and knee concerns respectively.
Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are also sidelined with muscular injuries, while Diogo Jota has emerged as a doubt for the midweek clash with the Cottagers due to a fresh knock.
Liverpool's enthralling win over Spurs at the weekend lifted the Reds up to fifth in the Premier League table, seven points adrift of Manchester United in the final Champions League spot having played a game more.
Ben Knapton
