Get our LFC newsletter for the best Reds coverage Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The German international missed their 3-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen this weekend which saw them fall seven points behind Borussia Dortmund in the title race. After the match Manager Niko Kovac was asked about how long Neuer would be out for with his side set to face Liverpool in the Champions League knockout stages in just over two weeks. (Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) According to German reports he said: "I can not say exactly. When I say it will be five months, there is a big fuss, and if I say it will be five days, everyone thinks it’s not that bad. The fact is, he was in pain. Otherwise, he would have played." Bayern’s stand-in goalkeeper Sven Ulreich, playing his first game for the Bavarians this season, also spoke about the injury. We're building up to tonight's game against West Ham HERE “The thumb (Neuer’s) is really fat, but in one or two days things should look different and he could be able to play,” he told reporters, after his first game for seven months. “Of course, I was happy to be able to play again, but it was bitter news for Manuel.” Pictures were then circulated on social media on Sunday showing the goalkeeper taking part in training with the outfield players on a snowy outfield in Munich. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now Due to not being in goal the German international wasn't wearing gloves and therefore a splint on his right thumb was visible. Bayern next play on Wednesday, February 6 in a DFB Cup game against Hertha Berlin. They travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool on February 19 in a Champions League showdown in the round of 16.<doc-sep>Bayern Munich are closely monitoring the fitness of Manuel Neuer ahead of their first leg match against Liverpool in the Champions League. The club captain missed their Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen with a thumb injury and is unlikely to feature this week against Hertha Berlin. Liverpool host the German champions in the first leg of their last 16 tie on Tuesday 19 February. The German club announced that Neuer suffered “blemish on the right hand” during a training session and will be x-rayed to assess further damage. Sven Ulreich played his league game of the season in Neuer’s place and revealed his teammate was missing with a thumb strain, a condition that could mean there is ligament damage. Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? Show all 16 1 /16 Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? 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Real Madrid Group G winners Getty Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? Roma Group G runners-up Getty Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? Juventus Group H winners Getty Champions League last 16: Who has qualified? Manchester United Group H runners-up Getty “The thumb [Neuer's] is really fat, but in one or two days things should look different and he could be able to play,' said Ulreich, after Bayern’s 3-1 defeat on Saturday. “Of course, I was happy to be able to play again, but it was bitter news for Manuel.” Neuer could face up to three months out if the ligament in his thumb is torn, which would rule him out of both legs against Liverpool as well as a crucial run of games in Bayern’s attempt to salvage a poor season as they continue to struggle in third. Manuel Neuer could miss the Champions League match against Liverpool (AP) Manager Niko Kovac, who is coming under increasing pressure at Bayern Munich, said that the club are still in the dark over Neuer’s injury. “I can not say exactly. When I say it will be five months, there is a big fuss, and if I say it will be five days, everyone thinks it’s not that bad,” he said after the weekend defeat. Recommended Gomez to undergo surgery on leg fracture “The fact is, he was in pain. Otherwise, he would have played.” Virgil Van Dijk is suspended for the first leg after accumulating three yellow cards in the group stage. Joe Gomez will also miss out after it was announced that he will undergo surgery on a leg fracture. “It’s a blow for the boy and for us – because prior to the injury he was in such fantastic shape,” said Klopp on Gomez’s injury.<doc-sep>TF-Images/Getty Images Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac said goalkeeper Manuel Neuer "feels good" amid reports he could be out of action for three months. According to Sport Bild (h/t MailOnline's James Dutton), Neuer has suffered a "blemish on the right hand" and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines if he has torn the ligaments supporting his thumb. An injury of that type could require surgery, which would rule him out of both legs of Bayern's last-16 UEFA Champions League tie with Liverpool. Speaking ahead of Bayern's DFB-Pokal match with Hertha Berlin on Wednesday, Kovac gave an update on Neuer: Neuer was absent for Saturday's match with Bayer Leverkusen, so back-up Sven Ulreich made his first appearance of the season in his stead. It was far from an ideal outing, as Bayern lost 3-1. Ulreich deputised for Neuer last season, with the No. 1 sidelined for almost the entirety of the campaign, and he helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and reach the semi-final of the Champions League. However, an ill-timed slip from Ulreich when attempting to deal with a back pass gifted a goal to Real Madrid's Karim Benzema in that semi-final, which contributed to Bayern's exit at the hands of Los Blancos. Neuer's potential injury would be a boost to Liverpool's chances in their tie given he's among the best 'keepers in the world. Videos you might like Bayern are already perhaps the underdogs given their disappointing form this season—they're third in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund—so they can ill afford not to have their best players involved.<doc-sep>
Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer ahead of their Champions League last-16 showdown with Liverpool in a fortnight. The German No 1 missed the weekend clash with Bayer Leverkusen and is also a doubt for their cup clash with Hertha Berlin on Wednesday. Sven Ulreich deputised in his place, and admitted his team-mate was suffering from a problem known as 'skier's thumb'. Bayern Munich are sweating over the fitness of their goalkeeper Manuel Neuer this week Back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich revealed that Neuer's thumb is 'really fat' over the weekend WHAT IS SKIER'S THUMB? A sprained thumb occurs when the ligaments that support the thumb stretch beyond their limits or tear. This usually happens when a strong force bends the thumb backwards, away from the palm of the hand. Most thumb sprains involve the ulnar collateral ligament, which is located on the inside of the knuckle joint. A tear to this ligament can be painful and may make your thumb feel unstable. Treatment for a sprained thumb usually involves wearing a splint or cast to keep the thumb from moving while the ligament heals. For more severe sprains, surgery may be needed to restore stability to the joint. Advertisement 'The thumb (Neuer's) is really fat, but in one or two days things should look different and he could be able to play,' said Ulreich, after the 3-1 defeat on Saturday, his first game for seven months. 'Of course, I was happy to be able to play again, but it was bitter news for Manuel.' Neuer has suffered a 'blemish on the right hand', and could be out for three months if the ligament is torn, according to SportBild. The club are monitoring the situation and expect to discover the severity of the injury this week. They claim that he had an X-ray on Sunday and trained with a solid plastic rail around his thumb over the weekend. Ulreich was an ever-present for Bayern last season as Neuer was reduced to only four appearances with a recurring foot injury. Bayern go to Anfield on February 19 before hosting Liverpool at the Allianz Arena in the return leg on March 13. Defeat at the weekend leaves Bayern third in the Bundesliga, seven points adrift of leaders Borussia Dortmund. Neuer is suffering from 'skier's thumb' and could be out long-term if he requires surgery