Liverpool will be more desperate than ever to recover from their latest disheartening setback when they travel to Sheffield United for next Sunday's top-flight showdown.
Jurgen Klopp's men lost to Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield for the first time since 1999 on Saturday evening, with Richarlison's early strike preceding a Gylfi Sigurdsson penalty in a 2-0 win for the Toffees, as Liverpool crashed to their fourth home defeat on the trot.
The reigning champions could fall 19 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City if the Citizens overcome Arsenal later today, and another missed opportunity at Bramall Lane would see their top-four prospects become even more uncertain heading into the final months of the campaign.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Liverpool's injury and suspension news ahead of the contest.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: Unknown
Jurgen Klopp's defensive crisis continues to worsen as makeshift centre-back Jordan Henderson was forced off with a groin problem 30 minutes into the Everton defeat. The Reds manager conceded that none of Liverpool's medical staff was positive over the injury, and the midfielder has now undergone surgery on the issue, so he is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Other
Possible return date: Unknown
Alisson's father tragically lost his life in a swimming accident in his native Brazil, with Liverpool confirming the news on Thursday. It is currently unclear if the shot-stopper will travel back home to be with his family, but the club are set to give him a break from first-team responsibilities if needed.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Muscle
Possible return date: February 28 (vs. Sheffield United)
Fabinho continues to nurse a muscular issue and did not take part in training before the derby defeat, but Klopp has confirmed that he is getting closer to a return, so there is faint hope that he could play a part against the Blades.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Hamstring
Possible return date: February 28 (vs. Sheffield United)
Veteran midfielder James Milner suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester City earlier this month and has not played since. As is the case with Fabinho, Milner is making progress in his recovery and has an outside chance of coming back for this one at the time of writing.
© Reuters
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: February 28 (vs. Sheffield United)
Diogo Jota is still waiting to make his comeback after sustaining a knee injury in December's Champions League tie with FC Midtjylland, but he is another player understood to be making great strides in his rehab, so he has a slim chance of being available on Sunday after returning to full training.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Liverpool confirmed at the beginning of February that Joel Matip's ankle injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Joe Gomez continues to rehabilitate from the knee injury he suffered while training with England in November, and a comeback before the end of the season remains unlikely.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Virgil van Dijk was in attendance to see Liverpool lose to the team he suffered his serious ACL injury against last October, and as is the case with Gomez, the Dutchman is unlikely to play again this season.
LIVERPOOL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Liverpool have no players suspended for this game.
Ben Knapton
