"For sure not panic." His face may have been etched with the disappointment of the opening Premier League draw at Fulham, but Jurgen Klopp was at least keeping a calm demeanour regards how Liverpool would react to their growing injury list.
But the sight of Thiago Alcantara clutching his left hamstring before hobbling off at Craven Cottage was sufficient to furrow the brow of even the most grounded Reds supporter.
The news the Spaniard may well not be seen again in action until after next month's international break has intensified debate over whether Klopp and the Liverpool recruitment team should green-light more business in the transfer window with the acquisition of a midfielder.
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Having addressed a number of pressing issues with the signings of striker Darwin Nunez, attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho and young right-back Calvin Ramsay, the Reds were content with their incomings, particularly with all having been snapped up before the start of pre-season preparations.
A number of players have also been moved on as the squad continues to evolve in a period Klopp readily admits is transitional. But the growing injury issues have already prompted Liverpool to alter their transfer plans, the Reds boss admitting the future of Nat Phillips - who has been interesting a number of clubs - has been impacted by the knee blow that will keep Ibrahima Konate on the sidelines for the foreseeable.
Intriguing, though, that it was Sepp van den Berg, wanted on loan by a host of potential suitors, who was the second centre-back on the bench alongside Joe Gomez at the weekend, given Fulham are one of the clubs eyeing Phillips.
Whether Liverpool further alter their plans by bolstering the engine room in the coming weeks is reliant on a number of factors.
The first and most obvious hurdle is availability. Sporting director Julian Ward and his team work several transfer windows ahead and will have a shortlist of players in all required positions, including midfield, who they are monitoring, Sporting Libson's Matheus Nunes the latest to be linked. Crucially, that will work on the basis of when they can best move for the player, given their contract situation, the expected financial cost and the willingness of the selling team to do business, usually dependent on having a replacement lined up.
Accelerating transfers, though, is not unusual. The purchase of Luis Diaz in January was an example, while even an early agreement for Fabio Carvalho gave Liverpool peace of mind having failed to get the deal over the line earlier this year.
Then there is a question of funds. Fenway Sports Group have occasionally loosened the purse strings when required, but there will be a long-term plan with the Reds already committed to overhauling their midfield next summer. There will be a budget for that - could a move now compromise any future proposals?
James Milner is scheduled to depart next summer. So too Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, although talks are ongoing over a new deal for the latter. Replacing perhaps two or possibly three midfielders next summer must be taken into consideration, especially given chief target Jude Bellingham is unlikely to be cheap.
If Liverpool showed their hand somewhat with interest in Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni earlier this summer, that they haven't actively looked elsewhere in this transfer window highlights their willingness to wait for the right player with the right profile and price.
The real decisive issue, however, is whether a new midfielder right now is truly necessary. Klopp is adamant there are sufficient options when the majority are fit. And even if one were signed today, it historically takes time for a new arrival to acclimatise to Liverpool's methods, notably in the centre of the park. Any new arrival wouldn't be expected to be starting games immediately, but if by the time they are up to speed the treatment room has increasingly been vacated, minutes may be even more at a premium.
That said, the start of the competitive season can soon expose some clear problems. For example, one game is all it has taken for Manchester United to seek to address some glaring issues by attempting to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot while briefly considering a move for forward Marko Arnautovic.
Across Stanley Park, Everton's need for a centre-back was made obvious by injuries to Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina while their blunt attack exposed why they are chasing a forward. Chelsea, too, feel they need more players having flattered to deceive in their win at Goodison. And the closer the clock ticks down to the September 1 deadline, so the whiff of desperation grows stronger from those in need.
Liverpool aren't quite at that point yet. But the Reds demonstrated with the deadline-day signing of Oxlade-Chamberlain in 2017 and the capture of Takumi Minamino two years ago they aren't averse to an opportunist transfer.
They won't panic. But if if Klopp feels a deal should be done, Liverpool will not hesitate.
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