Liverpool forward Luis Diaz is set to be sidelined until after the 2022 Qatar World Cup after sustaining an injury. He joins an XI of stars who are likely to be out until at least December.
The Colombian suffered a knee injury during his side’s 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, per BBC Sport. Liverpool sent Diaz for scans on Monday that revealed the £50m star will not need surgery, but misses the Reds’ 10 games before the World Cup.
Premier League clubs remain in action until November 13 before the division hits pause for the 22nd edition of the Fifa tournament, which begins seven days later. Liverpool return to the top-flight at Aston Villa on Boxing Day following the World Cup final on December 18.
Colombia failed to qualify for the Qatar World Cup after failing to finish in the top five of the CONMEBOL standings. Brazil topped the table over Argentina, Uruguay and Ecuador for the automatic positions. Peru took the only play-off spot but lost to Australia on penalties.
Just one point separated Diaz’s Colombia and Peru for the intercontinental play-off spot. A top-four finish was also only three points out of Los Cafeteros’ reach after sealing five wins and eight draws over their 18 qualifiers. Peru won seven and drew three of their 18 games.
Luis Diaz joins a list of players who are out injured until after the Qatar World Cup
Diaz left the Emirates Stadium on crutches and wearing a knee brace after he sustained his injury when Arsenal star Thomas Partey landed on the Liverpool maestro. He will now start a rehabilitation programme that keeps the 25-year-old sidelined until after the World Cup.
Several big-name players are also unlikely to return from injury before the end of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, HITC Football has looked into an XI of those set for lengthy spells out.
Juan Musso (GK): Argentina could be without Atalanta star at the World Cup
Argentina may be without Juan Musso at the Qatar World Cup as the Atalanta ace suffered a facial injury. Sky Italia reported in September that the goalkeeper underwent surgery and is likely to miss two months. He sustained a fracture of the right orbital/maxillary complex.
Ronald Araujo (RB): Uruguay are hopeful the Barcelona ace will make the World Cup
Uruguay are hopeful that Barcelona ace Ronaldo Araujo will be fit for the Qatar World Cup after undergoing surgery for a muscle injury. Sport report La Celeste are keeping close tabs on his progress and that the defender is working to speed up his recovery to be fit in time.
Head coach Diego Alonso will not decide on Araujo’s inclusion in his side until the very last chance. Uruguay’s medical staff are in constant communication with Araujo and Barcelona boss Xavi. But Alonso understands he may only arrive for the very start of the tournament.
Boubacar Kamara (CB): France will be without the Aston Villa star through injury
Defending World Cup champions France will be without versatile Aston Villa star Boubacar Kamara through injury. The midfielder-cum-centre-half will miss the next two months after suffering a knee ligament injury while the Villans beat Southampton 1-0 on September 16.
Lucas Hernandez (CB): Bayern Munich ace adds to France’s injury woes
Bayern Munich ace Lucas Hernandez added to France’s injury woes in September after he tore his left adductor muscle. Der FCB announced scans revealed he would miss a number of weeks. But the 2018 World Cup champion could return from his injury in time for Qatar.
Lucas Digne (LB): Aston Villa star is to miss the Qatar World Cup through injury
France will also be without Lucas Digne in Qatar as the Aston Villa left-back is recovering from a stress fracture. He developed the issue in September and will now miss a second successive World Cup. Didier Deschamps omitted the 29-year-old from their 2018 squad.
Georginio Wijnaldum (CM): The Netherlands will be without the Roma star in Qatar
The Netherlands will be without Georginio Wijnaldum at the Qatar World Cup as the Roma star fractured his tibia in August. The midfielder sustained the blow during training after an off-season move to the Serie A side. He has only played 12 minutes on loan to Roma so far.
Paul Pogba (CM): Didier Deschamps is not afraid to leave the Juventus star at home
France boss Deschamps is not afraid to leave Paul Pogba at home if the Juventus star does not return from injury before the World Cup starts. L’Equipe reports the midfielder is not likely to start training until October 31 after undergoing surgery for a serious knee injury.
Pogba initially put off going under the knife after sustaining the issue in training during the summer. He is now in a race against time to prove to Deschamps that he can aid France in Qatar. Deschamps recently told Pogba that it would be ‘useless’ to take him if he is unfit.
Pedro Neto (RM): Wolves winger is to miss the Qatar World Cup through injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers winger Pedro Neto is to miss the World Cup in Qatar after the Portugal star suffered an ankle injury. The 22-year-old strained his lateral ligaments during Wolves’ 2-0 Premier League defeat to West Ham United on October 1 and needed surgery.
Luis Diaz (CAM): Liverpool are without the Colombian until after the World Cup
Liverpool will now be without Diaz until after the World Cup in Qatar after the Colombian’s knee injury. He joins the all-star XI of crocked stars possibly out until after the 22nd edition of the Fifa tournament. The 25-year-old was one of the Reds’ standout players this season.
Diaz struck four goals and three assists across his 12 appearances in all competitions so far this term. He registered three goals and two assists in the Premier League alone from eight games. The 37-cap playmaker’s top-flight haul also included assists in his last two outings.
Emile Smith Rowe (LM): Arsenal star to miss the World Cup after groin surgery
Emile Smith Rowe is to miss the World Cup after Arsenal confirmed the England talent has undergone surgery on a groin injury. The midfielder had been struggling for game time this term after damaging a tendon. The operation is intended to solve the long-term problem.
Paulo Dybala (ST): Argentina could be without the Roma ace in Qatar
Argentina could be without Paulo Dybala in Qatar as the Roma maestro sustained a serious quadriceps injury in his side’s Serie A win over Lecce. Jose Mourinho replaced the 28-year-old straight after he converted the would-be winning goal from the penalty spot on Sunday.
Dybala’s effort marked his fifth Italian top-flight goal, seventh in all competitions, since the 34-cap playmaker joined Roma in the summer. Mourinho instantly feared a lengthy lay-off for his Bosman signing, who is very unlikely to play in Serie A again before the World Cup.
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