Jurgen Klopp has called for unity among his Liverpool squad as they grapple with a difficult period without their Africa Cup of Nations trio.
The Reds sorely missed the attacking thrust of forwards Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane and midfielder Naby Keita during the dismal goalless draw against Arsenal in Thursday's home Carabao Cup semi-final first leg.
With Salah and Mane expected to go deep into the AFCON playing for Egypt and Senegal respectively, there's every chance Liverpool will be without at least the duo for the next few weeks.
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And while anticipating the fallout from only his team's second failure to score this season - not least as Arsenal played most of the game with 10 men - Klopp has urged his players to stick together.
"It was crystal clear that we sit here after drawing 0-0 with Arsenal and the only thing all of you (the media) have in your mind is Sadio and Mo and Naby not being here," said the Reds boss on Friday.
"But that's not a solution, that's only part of the problem. And we are here to find solutions and I'm completely in the game to find solutions.
"Last night we were not perfect, that's true. But maybe we are more closer to our usual self in the next game and maybe we can win.
"You have to get through different periods in a season, we always had to, and it's our period now and let's get through this together."
Klopp, whose side entertain Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday, pointed to previous issues in overcoming a team reduced to 10 men even with Salah and Mane in the side, the most recent example of which came at home to Chelsea in August.
"The only way you can avoid these kind of questions is by scoring," he said. "The situation is clear, they are not here and they are world class players. Do we miss them? Yes.
"We had with Sadio and Mo before some struggles - which is not something I like - against 10 men when they were both on the pitch and we still couldn't create enough.
"There's absolutely nothing bad to say about Sadio and Mo. Absolutely nothing. Outstanding players.
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"Naby, on his day, one of the best midfielders I have ever seen. It's all positive about them. But they are not here."
While Liverpool were shorn of the pace of Salah and Mane up top against Arsenal, Klopp doesn't believe that would have made any difference against the deep-lying Gunners backline.
"Last night, we didn't miss speed," said the Reds boss. "That was not our problem.
"Arsenal were so deep, where were we going to run? Over the touchline, into the stands? There was no space to use that.
"Nonetheless, we have to build on how we started, that was good. We had a lot of top counter-pressing moments, winning the ball and going from there. That's not about this final pace that they usually bring.
"We have to play against deep formations in between the lines, and quick thinking is much more important than quick running. Mo, Sadio and Naby can think quick as well but they are not here, so the rest can do that as well."
