The France international, 26, was forced off shortly before half-time at Anfield after sprinting in an attempt to block a shot. He pulled up in discomfort and was replaced, leaving manager Xabi Alonso facing the prospect of losing one of his most regularly selected players.
BBC Sport reports that the club fears Lacroix may not return until the new year, a setback that could keep him out of as many as 10 matches. That longer timeframe has not been confirmed publicly, however, and Chelsea have been cautious when discussing the extent of the injury.
Alonso offered a shorter assessment when he addressed the issue before Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Manchester United.
“Max, he picked up an injury, and we expect that he's not going to be ready before the international break. So he will be a few weeks out,” the Chelsea head coach said.
The manager’s comments leave open the possibility that the defender could return sooner than January, although the club’s internal concern points to a more prolonged absence. Further assessment will be needed before a clearer recovery schedule can be established.
Lacroix’s injury is particularly disruptive because of the role he has played since arriving from Crystal Palace in a £52 million move during the summer. He has started all but one of Chelsea’s 11 matches in all competitions this season, quickly becoming a regular presence in Alonso’s defence.
Only Morgan Rogers has featured more often for the club during the campaign, underlining how heavily the manager has relied on the Frenchman. His absence would therefore remove an established option at the heart of the back line at a time when Chelsea are navigating a demanding run of fixtures.
The immediate task for Alonso is to find a replacement while the club establishes the full extent of the damage. Chelsea will be reluctant to place a firm return date on Lacroix until the injury has been assessed more fully, but the possibility of an absence stretching into January represents a significant concern.