Liverpool midfielder Emre Can facing 6 week injury lay-off due to ruptured ankle ligaments

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is set to be sidelined for up to six weeks through injury. The German international was forced off with 10 minutes remaining of the stunning Europa League quarter-final second-leg victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield on Thursday (14 April) and subsequently underwent scans on a twisted ankle.

Although there was initially hope that Can would return to fitness in time for the last-four meeting with Villarreal, it is now confirmed that the player has suffered ruptured ligaments. While he has not been officially ruled out for the rest of the season, he would face a race against time to be ready for the final at Basel's St Jakob Park on 18 May. Liverpool are currently eighth in the Premier League and play their final top-flight game against West Brom three days earlier.

"Liverpool midfielder Emre Can is set to be out of action for four to six weeks due to ruptured ankle ligaments," the club confirmed via their official website. "The No. 23 picked up the injury during Thursday's Europa League quarter-final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield.

"Can was substituted in the closing stages of the 4-3 win which saw the Reds progress to a last-four meeting with Villarreal. A return before the end of the season has not been ruled out for the 22-year-old, who has made 46 appearances so far in 2015-16."

Can's injury comes just one week after Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson sustained damage to his lateral collateral ligament that is expected to keep him out for two months. Both players will now be deemed as questionable for Euro 2016 duty with Germany and England respectively.

"We cannot change this, we will try to bring the boys back as soon as possible," Jurgen Klopp was quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo at a press conference held prior to the trip to Bournemouth. "There is hope for a few things. We should not say 'season is finished' but if he's not available then we have to deal with it.

"Emre was in really good shape. You could see he felt secure, confident and he used his skills like he should. Not always running with the ball like he did in the past. He played man's football which was good to see. Now he's injured and we have to see."