Liverpool (6/4 – 2010-11 Top Four Finish) have said that Dirk Kuyt will be sidelined for four weeks, after suffering a shoulder injury whilst on international duty.
The Reds forward picked up the problem during training with the Netherlands squad (2/7f – to win Euro 2012 Group E) on Monday and was flown back to the UK for further treatment.
The 30-year-old underwent tests and the Liverpool club doctor Peter Brukner confirmed that Kuyt is likely to be missing for a month.
Having suffered “damage to the A-C joint”, the Dutchman is set to miss several big games for his club over the coming weeks.
Kuyt, who scored in the Netherlands 5-0 win over San Marino on Friday, looks set to be sidelined for six Liverpool (11/1 – to win 2010-11 Europa League) matches.
The former Feyenoord man is expected to miss the Premier League games against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland, the Europa League fixtures with Steaua Bucharest and FC Utrecht, as well as the Carling Cup tie against Northampton.
The absence of Kuyt, who had been linked with a summer move to Inter Milan, will be a major blow to Roy Hodgson, who is already short of attacking options.
There has been some welcome news though for the Reds boss, regarding the fitness of Fernando Torres.
The Spaniard’s start to the season has been sporadic because of an injury sustained in this summer?s World Cup final.
The Reds’ medical team were keen to make sure that he is not rushed back too soon, despite the fans eagerness to see Torres firing in the goals.
But the striker showed in the recent win over West Brom, when he scored the only goal, that he is making good progress and has promised the supporters that the best is yet to come.
The 26-year-old said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.
“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”
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