Alisson Becker appears set to be out of action for over a month, with Brazil's national team manager updating on the Liverpool goalkeeper's injury status.
Alisson has missed the last two Reds games against Burnley and Brentford, first with illness and then as a result of a hamstring issue.
While Alisson was always due to sit out Sunday's Carabao Cup final, with Caoimhin Kelleher preferred as cup keeper, the Brazilian appears set for an extended absence.
Speaking ahead of the midweek visit of Luton Town, Jurgen Klopp suggested that his No. 1 is out for the 'foreseeable' future but didn't give a detailed update amid a slew of other injury issues in the first-team squad.
Meanwhile, Brazil manager Dorival Junior has appeared to rule out the goalkeeper for at least until the end of March.
In an interview with TNT Sports Brasil, the new national team coach listed Liverpool's stopper as one of four players unavailable for Brazil in the March international break, alongside Neymar, Matheus Cunha and Joao Pedro.
"Some players who had slightly more serious injuries, such as Alisson, Matheus Cunha, Joao Pedro and even Neymar, are totally removed from any possibility at this moment." Dorival Junior said.
"Not that we were already defined by the name of one or the other. In this extensive list, we have, some of these would no longer allow us to be called up at this moment."
Brazil’s upcoming games (against England and Spain) are scheduled for 23 and 26 March.
If Alisson's injury means he is sidelined until the end of the international break, it would mean he will miss Liverpool’s next four league games — including a crunch tie with Manchester City — as well as the Carabao Cup final, FA Cup fifth round and the last 16 of the Europa League.
Liverpool fixtures Alisson could miss before international break
- vs Luton (h) - 21 Feb
- vs Chelsea (n) - 25 Feb
- vs Southampton (h) - 28 Feb
- vs Nottingham Forest (a) - 2 March
- vs Manchester City (h) - 10 March
- vs Everton (a) - 17 March
In Alisson's absence, 25-year-old Kelleher is set to continue his run in goal.
The Irishman has already made 14 appearances in all competitions so far in 2023/14, more than any other season previously, keeping two clean sheets.
As well as Alisson, Liverpool face the prospect of being without as many as nine first-team stars for at least the games against Luton and Carabao Cup final, while Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez are also doubts.