Liverpool suffer new injury blow with Roberto Firmino facing three weeks out

The Croatia worldwide was taken off on a stretcher in the 117th minute of the Reds’ League Cup penalty shootout victory over Carlisle at Anfield.

Striker Christian Benteke is also a doubt with a hamstring problem while centre-back Dejan Lovren is still awaiting the results of a scan to determine the extent of a potential ankle ligament tear.

Nothing has been confirmed as yet but the local newspaper says that Liverpool medical staff have indicated that Lovren is now facing at least two months on the sidelines if their fears are realised.

The £20m signing was given a starting role at the start of the current season after starting barely half of the club’s games in his debut season, but found himself dropped in favour of Mamadou Sakho for last weekend’s Premier League game against Norwich after some uninspiring performances.

The injury to the duo will come as a big blow to the manager, who is already without skipper Jordan Henderson, who has been diagnosed with a broken foot, and is now in the United States undergoing treatment.

Liverpool assistant boss Gary McAllister is hopeful that Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino will be fit to face Aston Villa after picking up injuries against Carlisle.

The Brazilian worldwide landed awkwardly and was substituted in the 35th minute but McAllister suggests the injury may not be a serious one.

The 23-year-old left the field in obvious discomfort before half-time, with Brendan Rodgers’ side going on to progress 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with the League Two side.