• No ligament damage for defender but injury needs time to recover • Jürgen Klopp may have Mamadou Sakho back for Watford trip

Dejan Lovren has escaped serious injury following a challenge by West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Gardner but the Liverpool defender may need a month to recover from the impact to his knee.

The Croatia international was taken off on a stretcher in the second half of a tempestuous 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday with his knee in a brace and an oxygen mask on his face after a heavy tackle from the midfielder, who won the ball but caught Lovren’s knee on the follow-through.

A scan – delayed on Monday because of swelling – has revealed no ligament damage. However, due to severe bruising, swelling and a deep cut that required five stitches, the 26-year-old, who left Anfield on crutches, could be out for three to four weeks.

The scan result represents a relief to Jürgen Klopp, although he expects Mamadou Sakho to make a timely return from a knee ligament injury against Watford on Sunday. The France international has been sidelined since landing awkwardly in the 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on 8 November but resumed full training on Friday and, barring any reaction this week, will be considered for the match at Vicarage Road.

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Klopp absolved Gardner of seeking to injure Lovren immediately after Sunday’s game, saying only that his touchline feud with the West Brom head coach, Tony Pulis, was the consequence of “not a friendly game”.

The defender’s absence arrives at an unfortunate time given the demanding festive schedule but, having lost Joe Gomez and Danny Ings to cruciate ligament injuries at the start of his reign, Klopp will be thankful there is no long-term problem.