Thiago facing up to a month on the sidelines with hip injury

Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of Thiago Alcantara, who is facing up to four weeks on the sidelines with a hip injury, according to the Telegraph.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured an injury-laden campaign, with Thiago now joining an already star-studded injury list that includes Virgil Van Dijk, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate and Roberto Firmino.

The 31-year-old has struggled to stay fit for much of the season, making just 14 appearances for the Reds thus far. He is a doubt for the Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday night.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich playmaker could also miss next weekend’s trip to Newcastle United and the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid three days after that.

Liverpool have been due a midfield revamp, but they were unable to bring in any solid reinforcements during the winter transfer window with the club hierarchy looking for new investors.

Klopp is thin on replacements for the Spanish midfielder, with last summer’s loan signing Arthur Melo yet to make his debut this term as he continues his recovery process.

Thiago’s injury piles on the misery for Liverpool, who have endured a woeful campaign and are sitting in 10th place in the Premier League.

The Reds are 12 points off fourth-placed Newcastle, but with key figures alternating between the pitch and the hospital room, Klopp’s side are struggling to build momentum for a potential revival.

Liverpool have won just one of their last five league games and are yet to record a win since the turn of the new year.

Despite their precarious form, they will do well to claim maximum points against Everton, who managed a confidence-boosting win over league leaders Arsenal last time out.

Thiago is expected to return for Liverpool’s second-leg Champions League clash with Madrid. But the Reds have seven games in between, all of which Thiago is expected to miss.

Klopp may have to rely on the experienced but ageing duo of Jordan Henderson and James Milner to plug the midfield gap until Thiago returns.