Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea next week.
Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp are set to face off on Thursday in what could be a key battle for the top four with last season's champions having fallen to sixth following a recent blip.
Klopp's men are now sixth in the Premier League, one place and three points behind Chelsea, though that gap could be smaller by the time the two clubs face off next week.
Chelsea are up against Manchester United this weekend in what might just be the biggest test of Tuchel's reign yet, while Liverpool face bottom club Sheffield United.
Whatever happens this weekend, next Thursday's battle between two German bosses in Klopp and Tuchel should be a fascinating one, and it's a game that could well go on to define the race for a top four spot.
But ahead of the game, Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow with captain Jordan Henderson ruled out until April with a groin injury.
A Reds club statement read: "No specific timescale is being placed upon his return.
"However, the 30-year-old is ruled out initially until after the March international break."
It is a huge blow for Liverpool who have been struggling for form, losing to local rivals Everton at home last time out - the game Henderson was injured in - to make it four straight league defeats.
They will be expecting to turn things around against Sheffield United this weekend, but that Chelsea game will look a daunting prospect for Klopp and his men with Chelsea in fine form.
Tuchel's men are now unbeaten in nine games across all competitions, and regardless of whether they navigate their way past second-placed Manchester United this weekend, they will fancy themselves against a Henderson-less Liverpool.
