Liverpool continues to avoid any devastating injury blows at senior level, with Arne Slot upholding his reputation as an adept squad manager. However, one on-loan youngster has suffered a tough blow at a cruel time.

The senior side has not been completely injury-free, and Slot has had to find solutions to absences for key players like Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold at times this season. But setbacks have tended to coincide with returns for other players, keeping the Reds ticking along nicely.

When changes have been needed, Liverpool has made them with minimal fuss. Conor Bradley enjoyed another good run in the side in the absence of Alexander-Arnold, and will hope for more involvement tonight in a rotated team against PSV.

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Bradley serves as a glowing example to Liverpool's loan cohort. After a brilliant spelll with Bolton in League One, the Northern Irishman found himself integrated into the Anfield ranks, and could be on the cusp of a regular starting place if Alexander-Arnold does not agree a new deal.

One man who would have been hoping to follow a similar path is Calum Scanlon. A full-back on the other side of the pitch, he was given a taste of senior action in the Europa League by Jurgen Klopp last season.

Intending to capitalize on his progress, Liverpool arranged a loan to Millwall last summer. But the teenager suffered a stress back fracture on his debut.

Finally returning in the new year, he even recorded a goal for his loan club in just his second game back. Named as a starter once more against Luton four days ago, things were looking up for Scanlon.

However, he lasted just 17 minutes before being withdrawn, having suffered another injury. And manager Alex Neil has confirmed that it is not good news.

“Calum’s got a grade three on his hamstring," Neil confirmed, via Southwark News. "Calum will be probably twelve weeks, so maybe a season-finisher for Calum."

It's brutal luck for the 19-year-old. Though he will be trying not to think about it, he will be aware that left-back could soon be a position in flux back at Liverpool, where Andy Robertson's top-level career is gradually beginning to wind down.

A Bradley-esque loan would at least have put Scanlon's name in the conversation. But his chances to catch Slot's eye have been practically non-existent, and it will be hard for the youngster not to worry about what this means for his nascent career.

Time, of course, is on his side. But one way or another, a brutal campaign like this is bound to be formative for Scanlon: we wish him all the best.