Liverpool defender Glen Johnson will reportedly miss the Christmas schedule after injuring his groin in Sunday's 3-0 loss to Manchester United.

The England international was forced off in the first period of the Premier League clash, but the initial prognosis was not thought to be serious.

However, according to the Liverpool Echo, the right-back has torn his groin and will therefore not return to action until 2015.

Johnson, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has already missed a chunk of the season with an injury.

Next up for out-of-form Liverpool is a trip to Bournemouth in the League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.