Liverpool will be without midfielder Harvey Elliott for a number of weeks after he fractured his foot in training.

Elliott had to withdraw from England’s Under-21 squad for their September international fixtures having complained of ‘discomfort’.

The Times report that after undergoing medical tests, Liverpool have discovered that Elliott is set for a period on the sidelines.

A fractured foot means Elliott will miss a period consisting of seven matches in three weeks prior to the October international break, while there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to return immediately after that window.

Elliott was one of Arne Slot’s better performers over pre-season, but he has played only seven minutes of football so far this season, with the Dutchman preferring a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Times add that Elliott, who is into his sixth season at Anfield, is now considered predominantly as an attacking midfielder rather than a winger after bringing in Federico Chiesa from Juventus just before the summer transfer deadline. The Italy international is yet to make his debut and has been building fitness after being frozen out by Juve over the summer.

Mac Allister sustained an adductor injury while away with Argentina last week, though Slot is set to be boosted by the return of Curtis Jones following a muscle issue.

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday at home to Nottingham Forest, before beginning their UEFA Champions League campaign away at seven-time winners AC Milan on Tuesday.

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