Andy Robertson will undergo surgery on his shoulder injury, with Jurgen Klopp confirming that Liverpool will be without the defender for "a while".
The left-back picked up the injury while on international duty with Scotland, as Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon landed awkwardly on top of him. Robertson dislocated his right shoulder and came straight off.
Liverpool assessed the 29-year-old this week and considered the possibility of Robertson not having surgery, but it has now been decided that an operation is the best course of action.
"The decision will go towards surgery," Klopp confirmed at his press conference on Friday.
"There was a little chance he could try without but, talking to experts, surgery will be the best thing long term. He is out for a while."
Reports suggest Robertson could now be out for up to three months, which would rule him out of key Premier League clashes against Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United before the end of the year.
Kostas Tsimikas is expected to start in his place in the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday, but Klopp pointed to other options available to him over the coming weeks as he looks to replace Robertson.
"Thank God it's not just Kostas who can step in," Klopp said.
"Joe Gomez, Luke Chambers can both step in. We have young players training during international breaks, the young kids show up, lots of talent and we need options, that's clear. Kostas is experienced but he cannot play all [the matches]."
Klopp has lost just one of the 17 matches against Everton he has been in the Liverpool dugout for, with that coming in 2021 when Carlo Ancelotti led the Toffees to a 2-0 win at Anfield.
Liverpool will go top of the table, albeit potentially briefly, should they pick up another win over their big rivals in the lunchtime kick-off, but Klopp insisted this is not a fixture that he looks forward to.
"It's uncomfortable if you tell me about my good derby record," the Liverpool boss said.
"I couldn't care. Not important. We don't think about these records, we just make sure we're really ready. We understand the pressure and importance of the game. Can't remember one moment we enjoyed a derby."
