AC Milan star ruled out of Champions League clash against Liverpool due to injury

AC Milan have confirmed that midfielder Ismael Bennacer has undergone surgery, just one day before their Champions League fixture against Liverpool.

The Reds travel to Italy to face the Serie A giants in their opening group-stage match of the competition.

Milan will be without Bennacer, one of their key players, for the clash due to injury.

The 26-year-old sustained a calf injury during the international break while training with the Algeria national team.

After returning to Milan for further tests, it was determined that surgery was necessary.

In an official statement, Milan announced that Bennacer’s surgery was successful.

However, the midfielder now faces several months on the sidelines as he begins his recovery.

“AC Milan can confirm that Ismael Bennacer underwent surgery in Finland this morning,” the statement read.

“The operation on his right calf was performed by Dr Lasse Lempainen.

“His recovery period is estimated to be four months.”

Ismael Bennacer has made only one appearance for AC Milan this season before suffering an injury during the international break.

Milan’s coach, Paulo Fonseca, opted for Tijjani Reijnders, Youssouf Fofana, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield for their recent Serie A match against Venezia, which ended in a 3-0 victory.

Liverpool, meanwhile, face their own midfield issues ahead of their clash with Milan.

Harvey Elliott is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks due to a fractured foot and may not regain full fitness until after the October international break.

Curtis Jones made a brief return from injury as a substitute in Liverpool’s recent game against Nottingham Forest.

Additionally, it remains uncertain whether Federico Chiesa will make his long-awaited debut for Liverpool during their trip to Italy this week.

He was absent from the squad for their last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.

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