Liverpool midfielder James Balagizi has seen an already frustrating loan spell at Wigan hampered by a long-term injury, which could see him return early.

Balagizi joined League One side Wigan on a season-long loan on the back of an impressive spell with Crawley last term that saw him score three goals in 16 games.

But his time at the DW Stadium has been disappointing, with the 20-year-old playing just four times at senior level and failing to start once in the league.

Manager Shaun Maloney had left him out of his matchday squad entirely for all but one of the last 13 games in League One, which has coincided with a run of just one defeat in eight.

If Liverpool weren’t already considering terminating the deal in January, the likelihood has increased now, with Balagizi out for at least six weeks through injury.

“James damaged his hamstring in training, very innocuous, but it doesn’t look a very good one,” Maloney told the Wigan Observer on Thursday.

On the prospect of Balagizi returning to the AXA Training Centre for treatment, the Wigan manager added: “We’ll allow him and Liverpool to decide what happens.”

It comes after a similar issue for Balagizi this time last year, when the versatile youngster eventually underwent surgery for an injury that ended his time at Crawley mid-season.

There has been no confirmation yet whether Liverpool will recall Balagizi in January yet, but the belief is that it would be the best course of action for all parties.

Already out of Maloney’s plans, he may find it even harder to break through after a lengthy layoff, and returning for the second half of the season with the U21s may be more beneficial.

Balagizi’s injury problems have denied him a chance in Jurgen Klopp‘s first-team squad in the past, with an arm issue keeping him out of pre-season training in 2021.

He was named on the bench for the Carabao Cup clash with Norwich and FA Cup win over Shrewsbury that season, but has failed to make a senior debut yet.

The Manchester native may not be the only Liverpool loanee recalled, with decisions to make over Fabio Carvalho, Rhys Williams and James Norris, who are all lacking game time.

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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has shared his thoughts on the team’s injury list after it was confirmed that Alisson and Diogo Jota are facing time on the sidelines

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has responded to the team’s growing injury list.

It was confirmed by Jurgen Klopp, earlier this week, that both Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota face spells on the sidelines after picking up injuries during the team’s draw with Manchester City. They join left-back Andy Robertson and midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic to leave Liverpool without five of their first-team stars, heading into a busy fixture list.

The Reds face a run of nine games up until New Year’s Day and manager Jurgen Klopp will have to rely on his whole squad as they navigate three different competitions. Reacting to the club’s latest injury setbacks, Liverpool skipper Van Dijk insists he has been delighted with how his teammates have stepped up in their absence.

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“I know it is a cliche that injuries are part and parcel of football and as players we all know the risks involved, but that doesn’t make it any easier when you lose anyone to any kind of setback,” Van Dijk said in his programme notes, ahead of the clash with Fulham on Sunday at Anfield.

“Right now, we are without Thiago, Robbo, Diogo Jota, Alisson and Stefan Bajcetic. It goes without saying that we all wish them well in their ongoing recoveries. The sooner they are back the better.”

“At the same time, though, we have to be ready to cope as a squad because injuries can and do happen and when they do the players who come in have to make the most of their opportunity,” he continued.

“That is why I am so pleased with the fact that this has been happening. Football is a squad game these days and we have had so many players who have made a positive difference whether they have started games, come off the bench, been an unused substitute or just been involved with training.”

Van Dijk previously stated that resilience has been a key theme of Liverpool’s strong start to the season, typified by several impressive displays when reduced to 10 men. The defender has been impressed by the character the team has shown in these moments and believes it is created by their hard work at the AXA Training Centre.

“By setting high standards across the board, we improve our chances of success, so it can never just be about the 90-100 minutes itself,” Van Dijk added. “The work that goes on in the training ground, the mood that is created in the dressing room and the general standards that we set ourselves and one another from one day to the next are so important and this means it is up to all of us to play our part.

“This has definitely been one of our strengths so far this season and it has to continue.”