Adam Bogdan returns to Liverpool from Wigan loan after ACL tear

Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan's season-long loan spell at Wigan Athletic has come to an end after suffering an anterior cruciate knee ligament tear. The 29-year-old was stretchered off after 59 minutes of the goalless Championship draw with Barnsley at the weekend and the Hungarian's worst fears have been proven.

The injury is likely to see Bogdan miss the rest of the 2016-17 season and is the latest blow to a career which is already on the rails after he was sent on loan to the DW Stadium for the duration of the campaign. Bogdan made 17 appearances for Warren Joyce's side term, keeping five clean sheets for the Latics who are three points from safety in the second tier.

Though Bogdan is contracted to Liverpool until 2019 and therefore at no risk of being offloaded, the fitness concern throws into major doubt whether he can again contest to be the club's number one stopper. The former Bolton Wanderers 'keeper made a series of mistakes during his rare first team outings last term, leading to him spiralling down the pecking order at Anfield.

Loris Karius was signed from one of Jurgen Klopp's former clubs Mainz in the summer, and has found himself as number one ahead of Simon Mignolet, with youngster Danny Ward loaned out to Wigan's Championship rivals Huddersfield Town. Bogdan becomes the second Liverpool player to suffer a serious knee injury this term, with Danny Ings ruled out for nine months with an identical problem.

"I have just received the result of my MRI scan, which showed that I tore my ACL in my right knee," said Bogdan via his Instagram page. "It will be a lengthy recovery. I am sure I will return stronger." The Hungary international, who has made 20 appearances for his country, will take heart from the recovery recently made by Joe Gomez who played for made his first appearance since recapture full fitness for Liverpool in a behind closed doors friendly against Accrington Stanley nine days ago [13 November].