Ahead of their second meeting with Chelsea in a matter of days, Jurgen Klopp revealed that Liverpool may have do without their stellar centre-half, Virgil van Dijk.
An instrumental player since his arrival in January, the German coach admitted that there was some doubts about whether or not the Dutch defender would be available to play in Stamford Bridge this Saturday evening.
"We have to wait, he didn't train with the team so far. Virgil is a world-class player and if you miss a world-class player always it's not cool."
Although Liverpool are not necessarily short of defensive options should van Dijk be ruled out, none of those potential replacements would realistically fill the gap van Dijk's absence would create.
After losing 2-1 to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night, Liverpool fans may have reason not to fear the worst just yet, however.
Shortly after Klopp had aired his concerns in his pre-match press conference, the former Celtic and Southampton man took to Instagram.
Posting a picture of himself and a selection of teammates, van Dijk stated; "Focussed (sic) and looking forward to another big game tomorrow against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge."
View this post on Instagram
Focussed and looking forward to another big game tomorrow against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge #LFC ?
Prompting no shortage of wishful pleas from Liverpool fans hoping to see van Dijk take to the field against Chelsea tomorrow, it as yet remains unclear whether or not Liverpool will have their talismanic centre-back available.
Prior to being replaced during Liverpool's routine 3-0 win against Mark Hughes' Southampton last weekend, Virgil van Dijk had been an ever-present figure in the club's Premier League season.
