Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have to begin his Anfield reign without young full-back Joe Gomez.
Press Association Sport understands that 18-year-old left-back Gomez has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury picked up while on international duty with England Under-21s.
Gomez hurt his right knee in the latter stages of the Young Lions' 3-0 win against Kazakhstan in Coventry on Tuesday night.
England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate moved to allay fears over the extent of Gomez's injury after the game, but Liverpool will hold a press conference on Thursday, ahead of Saturday's Premier League game at Tottenham, where it is expected they will confirm that Gomez's season is over.
Gomez played in Liverpool's first five Premier League games of the season, as well as their first two Europa League encounters against Bordeaux and FC Sion - but Alberto Moreno has been preferred in recent weeks.
Liverpool signed Gomez from Sky Bet Championship side Charlton for £3.5million in June and the Addicks took to Twitter to tell Gomez he was in their thoughts.
"Everyone at Charlton would like to wish @J_Gomez97 all the best in his recovery. #ComeBackStronger #cafc," a post from their official account read.
His absence will be a blow to Klopp, who is set to take charge for the first time in Saturday's lunchtime Premier League encounter at White Hart Lane.
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp, who was appointed as Brendan Rodgers' successor as Liverpool boss last Thursday, oversaw his first training session in the job at Melwood on Monday.
Wednesday's training session at Melwood, with the players back from the international break, was the first being overseen by both Klopp and assistant boss Zeljko Buvac, who was able to start work after receiving his work permit.
Liverpool are currently 10th in the standings after picking up just three wins in their first eight league games but midfielder Lucas Leiva believes the Reds will soon start climbing up the table under the German's tutelage.
''If we have the same success that Dortmund had when he was there, everyone will be happy. That's why we're really positive about it," Lucas told Liverpool's website.
''If you look at our position in the table, it's not great. But we are not many points behind the top four and even the top. We still have the cups and the Europa League.
''It's still early days in the season and we have a lot to play for. Hopefully, we'll start very well under him and at the end of the season it'll be a successful season for us."
Source: PA
