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Emre Can is out of the Merseyside derby, has been ruled out for the rest of the club season — and may even be forced to miss the World Cup finals this summer.

The Liverpool and Germany midfielder's back injury is far worse than originally thought and he could have already kicked his last ball for the Anfield giants.

Can, 24 , who is going to be out of contract this summer, was struggling to be fit for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City on Wednesday.

(Image: PA Wire)

Boss Jurgen Klopp stated beforehand that he was ‘very close’ to playing, but it appears a relapse has put his plans for the rest of the season in jeopardy.

And that might even stretch to the trip to Russia in two months’ time.

It is now touch and go whether Can will board the plane with Joachim Low's world champions.

(Image: PA Wire)

It is a double blow to Liverpool, as Klopp had wanted to pick the midfielder against Everton at Goodison on Saturday and fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson is banned for the return against City after a booking in Wednesday's 3-0 win.

He may now have to stick with at least two of the engine-room players who made life so difficult for Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions-elect.