When you’re having a day like Liverpool had during the weekend at Portsmouth, heavy challenges become part of the game.  Unfortunately for Argentine International Javier Mascherano, his challenge on Tal Ben Haim not only earned him a Red Card and subsequent four match ban, but a sprained knee ligament as well.

Via Guardian

As he has already served a ban this season, Mascherano will be forced to sit out four matches, meaning he will miss fixtures against Wolves, Aston Villa, the FA Cup third-round tie at Reading and the league meeting with Tottenham on 10 January.

However, the club believe his injury would have sidelined him for at least that long any way. “The player had a scan which confirmed the medical team’s initial diagnosis that he suffered a medial ligament sprain in his left knee,” a club spokesman said. “He is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.”