Liverpool must make a start to life without Fabinho when they resume their Premier League title push against Brighton and Hove Albion this week.
The Brazilian was already set to miss this game as a result of a one-match suspension handed down as a result of accumulated yellow cards.
But he is also now set for an extended spell on the sidelines as a result of an ankle issue - a blow that provides a significant test for Jurgen Klopp.
The German must decide whether to select Adam Lallana as a makeshift No.6, a ploy he turned to on a number of occasions in pre-season.
Alternatively, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be ready to claim a place in the starting XI, with Georginio Wijnaldum or Jordan Henderson dropping back to accommodate him.
Naby Keita is also in contention to take on Graham Potter’s team after overcoming the illness that kept him out of Wednesday’s meeting with Napoli.
However, there are unlikely to be major changes elsewhere in the team.
Joel Matip remains sidelined by the knee issue, but will undergo further assessment today as he plots a return.
And there are no fresh injury concerns for Klopp to contend with ahead of a packed fixture schedule continuing at Anfield.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Lovren, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
