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Liverpool fans react after club provide injury update on Nathaniel Clyne

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The Liverpool right-back is expected to be out of action for a lengthy period.

(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during a training session on July 16, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana.

Liverpool updated fans on Nathaniel Clyne’s status on Tuesday evening, stating that the right-back is facing a “lengthy spell on the sidelines” after sustaining an ACL injury in pre-season.

The 28-year-old suffered the problem playing Borussia Dortmund in a friendly last week and didn’t travel with his teammates to New York in preparation for last night’s match against Sporting, instead heading home for treatment.

The BBC have since reported he could be out of action for the entirety of 2019.

It’s a squad blow for Jurgen Klopp who has already admitted this summer that the club won’t be spending big money in the transfer market.

However, could Clyne’s problem mean signing a right-back is now a necessity?

First-choice in the position is Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Reds do have players who can fill in like James Milner and Joe Gomez. Youth players such as Ki-Jana Hoever are on the fringes of the squad also.

However, across a long season during which they’ll be seeking to go deep in multiple competitions, a lack of specialised depth could be a real problem.

Klopp told liverpoolfc.com: “What can I say other than how gutted we all are for Clyney. He was training and playing so well – he was in outstanding shape.”

Clyne wasn’t deemed important enough for Liverpool’s trophy push in the second half of last season, spending a spell out on loan at Bournemouth, but having clearly impressed his manager this summer, the 28-year-old could have seen more action next term.

Liverpool's Nathaniel Clyne during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester United at Anfield on December 16, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Some fans took to Twitter to give their best wishes to the player while others are now demanding that the club replace his presence with a new signing…

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27:(THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)  Nathaniel Clyne of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood Training Ground on December 27, 2018 in Liverpool,...