Jurgen Klopp described the Nations League as 'the most senseless competition in football' ahead of the international break.
And his fears won't have been eased as the injuries stacked up for Liverpool over an unfortunate fortnight.
Mohamed Salah suffered a muscle injury for Egypt, Sadio Mane broke his thumb while away with Senegal, Naby Keita had to be carried off by a team-mate for Guinea and Virgil van Dijk was sent home by Holland.
Klopp has been handed a selection headache he could sorely do without, coming after James Milner - Liverpool's standout player of the season so far - picked up a hamstring injury in the stalemate with Manchester City earlier this month.
After a hectic schedule that saw the Reds face Tottenham, PSG, Chelsea twice, Napoli and Manchester City in the space of four weeks, the calendar is now easing for the title challengers.
A trip to Huddersfield and the visits of Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff present Klopp with the ideal opportunity to explore the options in his squad.
Mane is considered a major doubt for the weekend, unless he is able to play with a cast on his left hand, while Keita is almost certainly out as he nurses a hamstring issue.
Salah and van Dijk played a full part in training on Thursday, but Klopp may be tempted not to risk two of his star assets.
The Dutch defender has been nursing a rib injury for the best part of the month and had to be substituted in last month's win over Southampton.
Dejan Lovren acquitted himself well on his return to the side against City less than a fortnight ago and Klopp would have no qualms with taking him to West Yorkshire at the weekend.
Klopp may want to play the misfiring Salah into form at one of the weakest sides in the division, but it represents a chance for Xherdan Shaqiri to get just his second Premier League start.
And there is Daniel Sturridge, yet to start in the league this season but the club's joint top scorer alongside Mane with four goals.
The England striker was named the club's Player of the Month for September after two spectacular strikes against Chelsea and the opening goal in the Champions League win over PSG.
His last league start in a red shirt came 11 months ago, but the time is fast approaching where he will be trusted by Klopp again.
Absences in attack could also present an opportunity for the likes of Dominic Solanke and Divock Origi to make their way back from the wilderness.
In midfield there may finally be a chance for Fabinho, with Keita out and Milner doubtful.
It has been a slow start in England for the £43m Brazilian, but Liverpool will need to see a return on their investment sooner than later.
And there is also the forgotten man of the Liverpool midfield - Adam Lallana - who has made only one Premier League start since May 2017.
Injuries decimated his impact last year, with his only league start coming at Burnley on New Year's Day.
Once integral to Klopp's system, the England midfielder has been left behind in the last 18 months.
Lallana suffered a groin strain on international duty in September but has been back in training for three weeks, and has spent the last fortnight with Klopp at Melwood.
While the new signings have struggled to make an instant impact, Lallana knows Klopp's system and could be the link man between midfield and attack that they have been crying out for in the continued absence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Klopp may be loathe to make too many changes to his preferred starting lineup this weekend, but he will have to start testing his strength in depth at some point over the next month.
It could make or break Liverpool's title challenge.
Who will start if Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Co are ruled out?
Reviewed by Debo Olowu
on
October 19, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by Debo Olowu
on
October 19, 2018
Rating:
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