Liverpool’s injury crisis has claimed its latest victim.
James Milner, so often the man who has come to Jurgen Klopp’s rescue when injuries have struck, went down with a hamstring problem during the Reds’ draw with Brighton.
The latest problem means that the German is now without as many as eight first team stars who are worth a total of £330million.
The Reds’ injury woes in defence have been well documented and they are currently without three of their first-choice back four.
Centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez face many months on the sidelines with knee injuries, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes to return in December.
Klopp, concerned by Andy Robertson’s fitness, also wanted to take the left-back off against Brighton and replace him with summer signing Kostas Tsimikas.
However, as the Premier League has not yet ratified introducing five substitutes – as now happens in the EFL – Klopp was left with little choice than to keep the Scotland international on the pitch.
While it is true that Liverpool can boast a 25-man squad, the quality of players on the treatment table means they are looking woefully short, especially in midfield as the hectic festive schedule looms.
That will include an evening kick-off, when they face title rivals Tottenham Hotspur on December 16, before another 12.30 game three days later, when they meet Crystal Palace.
Switzerland international midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri, Guinean international Naby Keita and summer signing Thiago Alcantara are all on the injured list, joining long-term absentees Van Dijk and Gomez, as well as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, while Milner is currently being assessed after going off against Brighton.
Liverpool would have perhaps beaten Brighton had they been able to field some of those names, especially Van Dijk, Gomez and Thiago.
For their visit to the south coast, Klopp named Neco Williams at right-back, with fellow youngster Nathaniel Phillips slotting in alongside make-shift centre-back Fabinho.
And, while the Brazilian is proficient in that position, it is clear that the Premier League title holders missed his tenacity in the centre of the park.
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Captain Jordan Henderson replaced Williams at half-time, having been ruled out of the fixtures with Leicester City and Atalanta, while fellow midfielder Takumi Minamino again cut a frustrated figure at the Amex Stadium.
The Reds do have Curtis Jones to come in and, of course, a plethora of options up front in Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
But, with the fixture congestion set to continue, Klopp will need as many bodies back as soon as possible.
