Dejan Lovren Injury: Updates on Liverpool Star's Status and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

Dejan Lovren is fit for today's match, Liverpool announced:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

Dejan Lovren is on course to be fit for Liverpool's trip to QPR on Sunday.

Brendan Rodgers revealed, per BBC Sport's Ben Smith:

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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is facing time out on the sideline after picking up an injury while on international duty with Croatia.

As reported by UEFA, the centre-back has withdrawn himself from selection for Croatia's upcoming Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Azerbaijan after picking up an injury in national team training: "Lovren felt the pain in his abdomen muscles and the medical exams showed that he will not be ready to play in these matches."

The Croatian Football Federation have announced Panathinaikos' Gordon Schildenfeld as his replacement in the squad:

ESPN FC reports that Lovren has suffered an abdominal tear:

The news will come as a significant blow to Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, especially considering the overall weakness of the Anfield outfit's defence this season.

A new arrival over the summer from Southampton, Lovren has started each Premier League and Champions League game this season.

After the international break, the Reds' next match is away to Queens Park Rangers on Oct. 19 in the Premier League, before they host European champions Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League three days later.

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Rodgers' side have three points from their first two Group B games in Europe's premier club competition and could really do with a result against Real to keep themselves in with a chance of reaching the knockout rounds.

However, if Lovren cannot return to fitness before then, Rodgers will likely have to field the inconsistent Kolo Toure against Los Blancos unless Mamadou Sakho is able to recover from his injury in time.

The Reds have conceded 10 goals in seven games in the league this season while Real have scored 25 in the same amount of matches in La Liga.

Undoubtedly, Rodgers would wish for a full complement of defenders for the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's side, but that does not look like being the case.