By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 03:41 EST, 10 September 2013 | UPDATED: 04:04 EST, 10 September 2013

Glen Johnson has handed Liverpool a massive injury blow with news the England defender could be out of action until Christmas. 

The full-back injured his ankle in the recent 1-0 victory over Manchester United, hobbling off in the 78th minute and was spotted leaving Anfield on crutches after the match.

Crunch point: Johnson injured his ankle in this collision with United defender Patrice Evra

Liverpool's forthcoming fixtures

SEPTEMBER
v Swansea (A) Sept 16    
v Southampton (H) Sept 21
v Man United (A) Sept 25    
v Sunderland (A) Sept 29    

OCTOBER
v Crystal Palace (H) Oct 5
v Newcastle (A) Oct 19
v West Brom (H) Oct 26

NOVEMBER
v Arsenal (A) Nov 2
v Fulham (H) Nov 9
v Everton (A) Nov 23

DECEMBER
v Hull (A) Dec 1
v Norwich (H) Dec 4
v West Ham (H) Dec 7
v Tottenham (A) Dec 15
v Cardiff (H) Dec 21

Liverpool physios have been made to wait for detailed results from a scan as his ankle was so severely swollen and now there are fears he could be out for up to 10 weeks.

Johnson would miss a raft of crucial games for the Reds who have made a perfect start to the new season under Brendan Rodgers and sit top of the Barclays Premier League.

Trips to Arsenal and Everton are looming on the horizon as well as England's remaining World Cup  qualifiers.

The news will be a huge headache for Anfield boss Rodgers who is also sweating on striker Daniel Sturridge who has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Moldova and Ukraine with a  thigh strain.  

Sturridge has scored five goals already this season, with three in the Barclays Premier League and two in the Capital One Cup against Notts County.

The Liverpool forward has also scored nine in his last eight games in the Premier League but aggravated the injury against United.

Christmas crocker? Johnson could be out for as long as 10 weeks, missing a huge chunk of Liverpool's campaign

Christmas crocker? Johnson could be out for as long as 10 weeks, missing a huge chunk of Liverpool's campaign

Perfect start: Rodgers' side have taken maximum points from their opening three games this season

Perfect start: Rodgers' side have taken maximum points from their opening three games this season

The comments below have not been moderated.

I hope we play Tiago,i heard he is faster than Ronaldo

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the irony is he got injured by purposely trying to go in hard and foul Evra.

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Toure - Agger - Sakho at the back and pack the midfield.

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When is Suarez due back? I know he can play in the cup game against United but what is the date?

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Not happy about this, dream points out the window!!!

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as reported by the author it seemed according to him that liverpool will be relegated as usual mischievious reporting from dm

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We can play the new guy Ilori, I heard he can play RB and he is lightening quick

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Brilliant footballer hope he comes back quickly, big Kelly might get a chance now YNWA

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Liverpool now have a squad and will have players to pick and for them its a position where they have many young talented players that could come in: Kelly, Flanagan, Wisdom or McLaughlin have all played at right back. I would imagine given his pace and price tag they will likely play Ilori at right back with Sahko in the middle with Agger.

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Fears he may be out for 10 weeks.. Not confirmed!! Nice one DM!! Sure we've got players who can step in.. Wisdom, Kelly, perhaps one of the new signings?!! Rodgers has planned for this and I'm confident he'll find a solution..

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