Liverpool will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for at least seven matches as the Brazilian prepares for another lengthy spell on the sidelines during a crucial period.
The Brazil international sustained a serious hamstring injury in the win over Crystal Palace, which became apparent when he kicked the ball out voluntarily with his weaker left foot.
Alisson was unable to continue and was forced to be substituted, with Viteszlav Jaros coming on to replace him for his Premier League debut.
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Reds boss Arne Slot has since discovered the severity of the injury after Alisson underwent a scan and the results showed the injury is as serious as first thought.
The 32-year-old will be ruled out of action for six weeks, even including the current international break, and will therefore miss seven games in total and potentially moer.
But it means Alisson will be forced to watch from the sidelines as he begins his period of recovery from his latest injury. That will come as a blow, as the shot-stopper has been in fine form with four clean sheets and just two goals conceded in six Premier League games.
The £56million stopper has struggled with muscle problems of late and made only 32 appearances in all competitions last season.
He will be absent for their next fixture against Chelsea at Anfield, followed by a tough trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
A crunch clash against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium is will arrive too soon for Alisson's return, and he is set to miss home games against Brighton and Aston Villa either side of welcoming Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen to Merseyside.
It remains to be seen whether he will be fit to face Southampton on November 24 after the next international break. Fortunately for Liverpool, Caoimhin Kelleher will be fit to return to deputise in goal for the gruelling run of seven games in 20 days.
Kelleher, who wanted to leave Liverpool in the summer and was the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest, will be granted his wish to prove himself in between the sticks.
Jaros, 23, will settle for a backup role after making his Premier League debut in Kelleher's absence. Slot may choose to select him for their Carabao Cup match against Brighton in order to protect the Irishman, especially after Jaros looked assured when replacing Alisson at Selhurst Park.
