Jamie Carragher has been ruled out for six months with a broken leg, Liverpool confirmed this morning.
The England international was injured in a tackle by Blackburn's Lucas Neill who was immediately red-carded in the 3-1 victory for the Anfield side yesterday.
Liverpool's worst fears were realised today when an x-ray confirmed the Reds' defender has broken his right leg and is out of action for up to six months.
Carragher's injury is a blow to manager Gerard Houllier, who will also be without Czech international Milan Baros until the new year after he suffered a broken ankle in the same game.
"Jamie Carragher left the stadium on crutches yesterday and was seen by our club doctor this morning," a Liverpool spokesman said today.
"Unfortunately an x-ray has revealed he has broken his leg and the awful news for everyone at the club is that Jamie will be out for up to six months.
"We also expect Milan Baros to be unavailable until the new year. Milan had a two-hour operation last night which went very well. He has had a plate inserted in his ankle but he's not expected back until next year."