Liverpool will be without one of their most influential players in Andy Robertson for a key showdown with Chelsea in the New Year.
Jurgen Klopp's side are scheduled to visit Stamford Bridge on January 2 for their first match of 2022 in what could be a hugely important contest in the context of the Premier League title race.
Klopp has previously said that he is hopeful Liverpool can gain special dispensation for Mo Salah (Egypt), Sadio Mane (Senegal) and Naby Keita (Guinea) to be available for that fixture, with the trio expected to then join up with their respective countries for the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
However, the Reds will definitely be missing Robertson for that trip to west London.
The Scottish international is currently serving a three-match suspension following his straight red card for a woeful challenge on Tottenham's Emerson Royal during last weekend's thrilling 2-2 draw in north London.
The first game of that ban came with the equally thrilling Carabao Cup quarter-final tie against Leicester on Wednesday night and was set to include the Boxing Day visit of Leeds to Anfield in addition to the Premier League meeting against Leicester on December 28.
However, that match against Leeds has now been postponed and will need to be rescheduled following a request from the visitors, who currently have a number of Covid-19 cases in their squad.
That means the final game of Robertson's suspension will now carry over to the fixture against Chelsea in the New Year.
Greek deputy Kostas Tsimikas will be expected to fill the void in the absence of Liverpool's first-choice left-back.
