Liverpool have been dealt a major blow with the news that goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will be out for a further two months.
He broke a finger in the win over Bolton on St Stephens Day but an operation on the problem has revealed a more complicated injury than first thought.
Kirkland had only just re-established himself as first-choice after a serious knee injury ended last season four months' early.
"Chris had to have an operation on Monday and could be out for up to two months," manager Gerard Houllier said.
"We thought it was a clear fracture at first but the fracture extends down through the joint so he needed an operation and will be out for longer than we anticipated.
"It was a minor incident and he was unlucky. I wouldn't say he is prone to injury but he has been very unlucky with them."