Jurgen Klopp says Mo Salah was never in contention to feature for Liverpool vs Manchester United on Sunday.
The winger has contributed four goals and three assists in the Premier League so far this season as Liverpool have a 100% record from their first eight games.
But Salah was not named in the matchday squad at Old Trafford, handing United a possible boost as Divock Origi was named in attack instead.
The news came as a surprise on Sunday, however Klopp said Salah had been unable to train in recent days and was never in line to play.
Klopp told Sky Sports: "Mo was not ready, that’s how it is.
"He couldn’t train with the team; I don’t know where it came from that everybody said he will play. There was pretty much no chance for today, maybe for Wednesday, we have to see.
"It's a difference of course but it's not a massive difference. Mo offers some runs in behind so someone will have to do this and we will have to adapt the system.
"We didn't want to play without him but we knew at some point this season we would have to."
The Liverpool manager, who has never led his side to a win at Old Trafford in four attempts, also outlined what he expected from United.
"They've changed the system, it looks like five at the back, or three at the back and five in midfield. Two very offensive players upfront. It looks like counter-attacking, so not a big surprise.
"That's the situation. We don't want to think too much about what they do. We have to respect them a lot. We know the situation, we know what people are waiting for. We are really ready for this game."
