8 Sept 2016

Injury Nightmare: Klopp confirms 'fantastic' Liverpool star has 'problems' with 'painful' injury. Will miss Leicester

If there's one thing that's guaranteed under Jurgen Klopp it's this: Liverpool players will suffer injuries on a regular basis, and with only three games of the season played, that's proving to be the case yet again. Ragnar Klavan is the latest Reds defender to be struck down, and Klopp has now suggested that Klavan will miss Saturday's home clash with Leicester City.

When asked today about Klavan's fitness, Klopp confirmed that Klavan is unlikely to play against Leicester. He explained:

"Another player with problems is Klavan. He has a bone bruise and a rip around the knee. It's a little bit painful so we have to see what happens".

This is unfortunate news as Klavan has hit the ground running at Anfield, and, statistically, the Estonian is the Reds' second most effective defender (pre-season and competitive games). Additionally:

* At 91.5%, Klavan's passing accuracy is the best in the entire squad.

* He's the only defender in LFC's squad who hasn't been dispossessed and/or lost the ball due to poor control.

* Klavan has fewer fouls than Clyne, Moreno, Lovren, and Matip.

* An argument can be made for Klavan's (indirect) culpability in a couple of conceded goals, but the club's poor full-back play is the root cause of the team's defensive issues this season.

If he had remained fit, Klavan may have had the chance to become a first-team regular. Alas, this injury means that Matip and Lovren will gain the upper hand in the fight for first-team places, and if they gel, it'll be hard for Klavan to force his way back into the team.

Unless, of course, he plays at left-back, as he has many times for Augsburg and Estonia.

* July 2016: Hailed by Estonia's manager as a 'fantastic player'

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