Xherdan Shaqiri has been ruled out of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup trip to MK Dons on Wednesday, scuppering an ideal chance for a first start of the season.
Shaqiri has played a mere 14 minutes across three substitute appearances this season, two in the Premier League and one against Napoli in last week’s Champions League opener.
He chose to remain at Melwood over the international break in a bid to force his way back into contention, but those efforts have now stalled.
Assistant boss Pep Lijnders revealed in his pre-match press conference that Shaqiri suffered a ‘little tear’ in his calf in Monday’s training session and will require a spell on the sidelines.
It’s better news on the Naby Keita front, however.
The midfielder, who has not featured since the Community Shield, is back in contention after recovering from the hip injury he sustained last month.
Keita is likely to start the game to boost his fitness with a view to a Premier League return against Sheffield United at the weekend.
Elsewhere, Divock Origi (ankle) and Alisson Becker (calf) will not travel. Both are making progress but have yet to return to full team training.