As the World Cup finals in Qatar approach a conclusion and the return of Premier League football looms, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp were handed a damaging diagnosis on Friday.
That news was that Luis Diaz had suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury he sustained during the Reds' 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in October. He is now expected to spend a significant spell on the sidelines after heading back to Merseyside.
The Colombian was a member of the Reds' 33-man contingent that descended in Dubai on Monday afternoon, where Klopp and his players will take part in the Dubai Super Cup - starting on Sunday - in a bid to prepare for the second half of their season.
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But despite taking to social media to showcase his return to team training on Tuesday, as he began the latest phase of his recovery and was expected to play some part in the games against Lyon and/or AC Milan, his latest injury issue presents his manager with an enormous attacking headache as he faces the prospect of having just Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino as his three attacking options until February - when Diogo Jota is anticipated to make his return to action after the calf injury he sustained against Manchester City in October.
But with Liverpool light in forward options between now and early 2023, with games against Manchester United, Chelsea and Everton in that time, could Klopp be forced into signing reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window?
The ECHO takes a look at those who could suit a mid-season switch to Anfield.
Mohammed Kudus
Liverpool fans will already be aware of the talents of Mohammed Kudus after witnessing his stunning volley in front of the Kop against the Reds in the Champions League group stage this season. The Ghanaian forward, who represented the Black Stars in Qatar at the World Cup finals, had been linked with a summer move to both Liverpool and rivals Everton.
However, after the late summer sale of Antony to Manchester United, the 22-year-old stayed put at the Johan Cruijff ArenA and has enjoyed a fine season since, scoring ten goals in all competitions.
Now as an integral member of Alfred Schreuder's side and boasting a contract with the Dutch champions until 2025, a winter move for Kudus could prove to be problematic. Especially with Ajax sitting three points behind rivals Feyenoord in the Eredivisie table.
But with Liverpool now in need of more attacking options, the youth and the expected low cost of Kudus could make him an ideal addition this winter.
Cody Gakpo
Much like Kylian Mbape, Paul Pogba and Thomas Muller, Cody Gakpo could be set to leave this year's World Cup finals with FIFA's Young Player of the Year award.
Despite being knocked out by Argentina at the quarter-final stages in a thrilling encounter at the Lusail Stadium on Friday evening, the 23-year-old exits with three goals in five matches to his name and an outstanding show reel after catching the eyes of millions of spectators.
While Gakpo primarily features as one of two central strikers under Louis van Gaal for the national team, the PSV star is more frequently deployed on the left-hand side of a supporting role in Eindhoven. So far this season, the Dutch international has scored 13 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions at club level.
Mainly used as a left-sided attacker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 23-year-old could be a shrewd option for Klopp to have at his disposal as he prepares for an extended period without Diaz's qualities from the left-hand side.
Memphis Depay
Eight years on from Liverpool first being touted for a move for Memphis Depay, months before he sealed a switch to Manchester United, the 28-year-old could finally be primed for a transfer to Anfield.
Despite being considered by many as a player who failed to live up to his tremendous hype during the early stages of his career, Depay has - since leaving Old Trafford in 2017 and progressing his career with French outfit Lyon - enjoyed a fine return on the investment of his talents and fired 90 goals in 219 games across spells in Ligue 1 and La Liga.
Having penned a two-year contract at the Nou Camp in the summer of 2021, Depay has less than one year left on his deal in Spain and would be free to start negotiations with overseas clubs from January 1, 2023.
Additionally, now finding himself out of favour under boss Xavi due to the arrival of Robert Lewandowski, a contract renewal at Barcelona appears unlikely and therefore he could be one for the Reds to keep an eye on in January.
Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha is perhaps one of the most curious footballers of the modern Premier League era. Sitting at the age of 30, it feels somewhat surprising that the Crystal Palace star has continued to be so loyal to those at Selhurst Park.
After swapping his boyhood club for the heights of Old Trafford in 2013, Zaha's move to Manchester United coincided with the beginning of a turbulent period in Greater Manchester as David Moyes succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson.
But after making just two first-team appearances for the Red Devils under Moyes, Zaha returned to Crystal Palace, via a loan spell at Cardiff, and has since become one of the most celebrated figures in the club's history.
However, with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023 and reports suggesting he will not renew his terms in South London, Zaha could be set for one final opportunity at the elite level of the Premier League, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal among those linked with a move for the forward.
Able to play anywhere across the front three or behind the striker, Zaha appears to have all the natural footballing qualities to fit a Klopp system. His experience in England's top flight, which stands at an impressive 291 Premier League appearances, would certainly see him add some much-needed nous while Darwin Nunez continues his adaptation to life in England.
Marcus Rashford
Not one, not two, but three one-time Manchester United players make the list.
Perhaps the most far-fetched name on this list given his current links to United and his resurgence under manager Erik ten Hag.
However, Liverpool's interest in Marcus Rashford is not something new, with t he Manchester Evening News publicising such claims in March of this year when the 25-year-old was said to be "considering his future" at the club. Liverpool, it was claimed, had "made it known" that they were admirers of the forward.
Despite his impressive resurgence under the tutelage of Ten Hag this term, Rashford is yet to pen fresh terms at Old Trafford, suggesting that he could be considering a potential future away from his boyhood club.
If he was open to leaving in 2023, it would not be a surprise to see Liverpool pursue their previous interest in a player who is without a doubt one of the most naturally gifted of his generation.
On the other hand, it would be difficult to see the forward willingly moving to United's arch-rivals due to his long-time allegiances at the club.
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