Liverpool have been hit with a fresh injury blow after Jurgen Klopp revealed that Fabinho will miss Saturday's visit to Leicester City.
Having already lost Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip to long-term issues, the Reds will also be without the man who has spent most of the season standing in for that trio at centre-half this weekend.
And the Brazilian's lay-off could even stretch into the games against RB Leipzig and Everton that follow, according to the boss.
Klopp said: "Fab will not be available, by the way. He suffered, again, a little muscle issue so will be out for this game.
"I don't know [if he will miss Leipzig/Everton] in the moment, we will see. I really don't know."
Fabinho's absence increases the likelihood of a debut for deadline day signings Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies at the King Power Stadium.
On the prospect of the pair lining up against Jamie Vardy, Klopp added: "Jamie is obviously a proper challenge in this league, the way he plays, the way he gets set up by his mates.
"That's a proper job to do but you can only do it - always - with the whole team, that's how we always try to do it. You have to avoid the passes to him.
"Jamie is a world-class player in a specific area of the pitch and, with his speed, that's really tricky.
"With the boys, we had now some sessions together where we really could work on defensive setup and that's very, very important.
"On top of that, we have other players available; Nat Phillips did really well, together with Hendo, together with Fab.
"All of them had the chance this week to show who's ready so I have to make a decision tomorrow, obviously."
