Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara to miss rest of season after hip operation

• Spaniard missed weekend win over Tottenham
• Injury requires operation
• Liverpool still without Keita, Firmino, Bajcetic

WHAT HAPPENED? The Spaniard missed Sunday's 4-3 win over Tottenham with the issue, which is understood to be a long-standing one, and is now set to undergo a minor procedure which will rule him out of the Reds' remaining five Premier League matches.

🏆 TOP STORY: Messi suspended by PSG for Saudi trip

📣 HAVE YOUR SAY: Who will avoid relegation?

🚨 MUST READ: Would Mount to Arsenal work?

THE BIGGER PICTURE: It is just the latest setback for Thiago, who has already missed 57 matches through injury since arriving at Anfield from Bayern Munich in 2020. He suffered a thigh issue in Liverpool's first Premier League game of the season at Fulham in August which kept him out for a month, and then missed two months between February and April with his hip flexor problem.

AND WHAT'S MORE: Liverpool are already without young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who is out for the rest of the season with an adductor injury. Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino are back in training, but neither will be available for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Getty Images

(C)Getty Images

Getty Images

WHAT NEXT FOR THIAGO? Thiago, like all Liverpool midfielders, faces a battle to prove his worth to Jurgen Klopp long-term, with the Reds set to dip into the transfer market for reinforcements in the summer.