Jurgen Klopp has been warned that Liverpool "lack courage" in attack when Thiago Alcantara and Trent Alexander-Arnold are not playing.
The Reds have endured a disappointing start to the season, with a defeat at rock-bottom Nottingham Forest the latest low point of their campaign. Having only won four of their 11 games so far, they are all but out of the title race, with leaders Arsenal already 11 points ahead with a game in hand.
At the heart of their problems has been a raft of injuries across their squad, which has seriously impeded Klopp's efforts to spark a turnaround. It appeared that the Reds had finally kickstarted their season with a dominant win over Rangers and a defeat of Manchester City last week.
But since then Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have all be sent to the treatment room. Thiago was also ruled out of the trip to Forest just hours before the game after picking up an ear infection.
Alexander-Arnold meanwhile is still not fully fit after picking up a muscle injury, meaning he was only able to take a place on the bench. As a result, Liverpool's line-up was far from being at its strongest.
James Milner lined up at right-back, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones featured in midfield, while Fabio Carvalho started up-front. Amid that weakened look, Liverpool struggled to break down newly-promoted Forest.
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A goal from former Liverpool player Taiwo Awoniyi 10 minutes into the second-half was enough to condemn the visitors to defeat. But former Reds star Danny Murphy believes Klopp's main issue is the absence of Alexander-Arnold and Thiago.
"They are missing a lot of players, like Diaz, Jota and Nunez. As Jurgen Klopp said, from set-plays, they did create chances. Although, in general play there was an inevitability about the lack of creativity," Murphy told Match of the Day.
"Once you take Thiago and Trent out of that XI, you don’t really have anyone who has that courage to keep looking up and keep trying to split defences, especially packed defences like that.
"Trent played midweek so maybe he [Klopp] didn’t want to risk him, but I think there is an argument to suggest strengthening the midfield. There's just bad luck with the forward players being missing. But it's a huge problem. Klopp had no choice but to play the kids."
Klopp is hopeful that some of the players currently on the injury list will be able to return for Wednesday's trip to Ajax. One player who is certainly out despite returning to training though is Naby Keita.
"The decision was [made] in the moment he woke up and had the pain. The doctor went there and they tried everything, went to the hospital and stuff like this. It didn't work out," the Reds boss said.
"So, as I said, Thiago got a bad ear infection last night and there was no chance for him to do anything. We drove him home. Darwin should be back, this game was just too early. I think another day recovery would have helped him, but we played today.
"At least that is my knowledge in the moment. Ibou will train from tomorrow on and Naby as well, but Naby is far off so he starts training now after a long period."
