Darwin Nunez will miss Liverpool's crucial game against Unai Emery's Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday afternoon with a toe injury.
The Uruguay international was forced to sit out Liverpool's recent 3-0 win at Leicester with the same complaint and has not recovered in time to face Villa. The news is a blow for Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, who is targeting a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Liverpool go into Saturday afternoon's game fifth in the table, one point behind Manchester United in fourth having played a game more. Klopp's side need to beat Villa and Southampton at St Mary's in their final game - and hope Erik ten Hag's men slip up.
Klopp will also be without Thiago Alcantara (hip), Stefan Bajcetic (adductor) and Calvin Ramsay (knee) for the trip of Villa, but that's where the bad news ends.
Liverpool announced Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita will all leave the club next month when their respective deals expire. All four players are set to be included in Klopp's squad to face Villa for an emotional goodbye.
Saturday afternoon's game is Liverpool's last at Anfield this season. Firmino, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita will all be hoping to play some part in the match to soak up that famous Anfield atmosphere one last time, but none of them are expected to start.
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Klopp gave his team news during a pre-match press conference on Friday. He said: "Bobby takes the place of Darwin because Darwin will not be available."
Klopp explained: "Darwin will not be available. It's an inflammation of a tendon at the toe - very painful obviously. He didn't train yet this week, so he will not be available for tomorrow. The long-term injuries are still out but all the rest should be available."
Alisson will start in goal, with Klopp expected to stick with a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. Curtis Jones should continue in midfield after starting nine consecutive Premier League games.
Jones is likely to be joined in midfield by the ever-present Fabinho, with captain Jordan Henderson also pushing for a start. There's no reason why Mohamed Salah will be dropped, which leaves Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota fighting for the two final spots in attack. Jota is expected to be the unlucky star to miss out.
Villa boss Emery, meanwhile, will be without former Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho after he was ruled out for the rest of the season with an undisclosed injury. Calum Chambers is fighting an illness but is hoping to make the trip to Merseyside.
Liverpool predicted XI to face Aston Villa: Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones; Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.
