Liverpool Handed Major Injury Blow Ahead Of Crucial FA Cup Semi Final

Liverpool have been handed a major injury blow with Mamadou Sakho set to miss the FA Cup semi final clash with Aston Villa due to a hamstring injury, according to reports.

Sakho was forced off midway through the first half of Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 win over Blackburn last night after pulling up holding his right hamstring.

The French international will have a scan to determine the full extent of the injury but the Liverpool Echo claim that club doctors believe he’ll be out for at least two weeks.

Sakho is therefore certain to miss Monday nights clash with Newcastle United at Anfield and if this initial diagnosis proves accurate, then he would also miss next weekend’s huge FA Cup semi final against Aston Villa at Wembley.

The centre-back would also be struggling to recover in time for subsequent Premier League games with West Bromwich Albion on Hull City.

The news will comes as a real blow to Brendan Rodgers as Sakho has been in excellent form of late and with Martin Skrtel still suspended, it leaves him with limited options at the back for Monday’s game.

Due to his lack of options in the middle of defence, Rodgers was forced to ditch his three-man defence in favour of a flat back four against Blackburn last night and with Sakho now out for the forseeable future, he may have to stick with it over the next few games.

However, the good news is that Emre Can is set to return from suspension against the Magpies and Skrtel will return for the FA Cup semi-final, but the loss of Sakho will still be a big disappointment for the Merseysiders.