Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been dealt another devastating fitness setback with Jurgen Klopp revealing the Liverpool midfielder has suffered a "serious" hamstring injury.
And the Reds boss admits goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher remains several weeks away from a return to action as pre-season problems continue to bite.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been absent since pulling up with a hamstring problem just moments before half-time in the 2-0 friendly win over Crystal Palace in Singapore a fortnight ago.
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While subsequent scans determined no surgery was required, the midfielder is nevertheless facing a significant spell on the sidelines.
"With Oxlade, it will take longer (than a few weeks), it is a serious hamstring injury," said Klopp. "A hamstring - we all hate this word but it is an injury and it happens from time to time and now Ox was the one. Does he need an operation? No."
It represents a major blow of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who is in the last year of his Liverpool contract and has been linked with a move away - West Ham United among a number of interested clubs - having not featured for the Reds since March.
Oxlade-Chamberlain impressed in two outings in a more advanced role during the Far East tour, and with Diogo Jota out for the foreseeable future with his own hamstring problem, Klopp is mindful of his options being limited going into the new season with Tyler Morton's proposed season-long loan to Championship side Blackburn Rovers being put on temporary hold.
There is, though, as yet no suggestion Liverpool are considering a move in the transfer market over the next month to bolster their options.
Kelleher, meanwhile, has been absent since suffering an injury on the first day back in pre-season at the start of the month.
The 23-year-old aggravated an issue sustained when on international duty with the Republic of Ireland in June, and Klopp explained: "Caoimh felt something after the international game, but everybody told him - the medical department there - it is fine and will be good after the holiday. He came back and in the first training (session) he felt it again. We checked it and it was not good.
"I think Caoimh will be another two or three weeks and then he should be fine."
While Alisson Becker has been stepping up his training in recent days after an abdominal issue ruled him out of the last three friendlies, he won't be risked for Saturday's Community Shield against Manchester City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester.
It means Adrian will start a competitive game for the first time since the League Cup win at Preston North End in October last year.
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