Liverpool's Mamadou Sakho to miss eight weeks with knee injury

Mamadou Sakho's injury is a setback for Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has been ruled out for eight weeks after sustaining a knee ligament injury in Sunday's 2-1 Premier League home defeat by Crystal Palace.

The club initially feared Sakho had suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, but scans on Monday eased fears that the 25-year-old France international's season could be in jeopardy.

However, the knee injury is serious enough to sideline Sakho for the busy Christmas and New Year period.

Sakho landed awkwardly in the first half following an aerial challenge with Palace's Yannick Bolasie as the Reds were handed their first loss under Jurgen Klopp.

The news will come as a blow to Klopp as Sakho had established a steady centre-back partnership with Martin Skrtel in recent games. Croatia international Dejan Lovren would be in line to play in Sakho's absence.

I would prefer to lose 4-1 and keep him (Sakho) in the team. Jurgen Klopp after Sakho was injured against Crystal Palace

After Sunday's defeat, Klopp suggested losing Sakho was a more damaging blow than losing the match, claiming: "I would prefer to lose 4-1 and keep him in the team."

Liverpool's next assignment is the league clash away to Manchester City on Saturday, November 21 - live on Sky Sports.

After the busy festive period, the Reds have key back-to-back home games against Arsenal on Tuesday, January 12, and Manchester United on Saturday, January 16, and Klopp will hope to have Sakho back in the fold by then.