Joe Gomez is set for a spell on the sidelines as Liverpool were hit by an injury blow during the 5-0 win over West Ham.
Gomez injured his hamstring and pulled up during a sprint in the first half. He was replaced by Jarell Quansah after signalling to come off.
The 27-year-old had been filling in for the injured Ibrahima Konate, who was been out since the win over Real Madrid last month.
But Gomez’s hamstring injury means Quansah is likely to be required alongside Virgil van Dijk against Manchester United on Sunday and leaves Liverpool with just two fit centre-backs heading into a busy month.
“If a player says he wants to stop, he has to be changed,” said manager Arne Slot when asked about Gomez’s injury.
“We know it’s a hamstring and we know it will take a while before he is back.
“I don’t know how long but he’ll be out for quite a bit. These situations can happen in a season.”
Liverpool have eight games in January, including the two legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham and the trip to high-flying Nottingham Forest on January 14.
Konate and right back Conor Bradley are close to a return for the Premier League leaders, who opened up an eight-point gap at the top.
