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Liverpool FC's preparations for the new season have suffered a major setback after Adam Lallana was sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury.

The Reds' £23million summer signing from Southampton limped out of a training session at Harvard University in Boston and will miss the rest of the USA tour.

A scan has revealed damage to the lateral collateral ligament but Lallana will not require surgery.

Initially, there had been fears that the England international would need to go under the knife and face a much longer lay-off.

Liverpool expect the 26-year-old to be out of action until early September which means it will miss the opening Premier League fixtures against Southampton, Manchester City and Tottenham.

He could be back in contention for the home clash with Aston Villa after the international break on September 13.

It's a painful blow for Lallana, who was in contention to make his debut for the Reds in Sunday's friendly against Olympiacos in Chicago.

He only began training with his new team-mates in Boston earlier this week after reporting back for duty following his World Cup commitments with England.

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