Liverpool's plans for the new season could become further complicated after next year's Africa Cup of Nations was plunged into doubt.
The draw for the tournament, which was due to take place on June 25, has been cancelled with no new date set.
The Confederation of African Football released a statement on their website explaining the decision had been taken "for logistical reasons related to the Covid-19 pandemic".
And the surprise move has prompted renewed fears the tournament - scheduled for early next year in Cameroon - could be under threat.
Liverpool trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita are all expected to feature having qualified with Egypt, Senegal and Guinea respectively.
With the competition running from January 9 to February 6 2022, the Reds would expect to be without the three players for a number of domestic fixtures.
But the ongoing uncertainty over Cameroon hosting the event has led to suggestions it could be scrapped altogether.
The tournament was originally due to take place this month but was pushed back due to the pandemic, while Cameroon is currently troubled by a civil war.
Mane missed several games in January 2017 when starring for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations, but the fact the 2019 edition was held in the summer spared Liverpool being without any of their African contingent.
