Jurgen Klopp was absolutely loathe to use it as an excuse. But there was no escaping the basic fact Liverpool were missing an awful lot of players when they slumped to Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Even among those who were available, many were significantly below their physical peak whether due to carrying knocks or feeling the effects of having to play a third top-flight game in less than a week.
"It was intense, three games, six days and limited squad," said Klopp afterwards. "It was clear we would not fly through this game. We knew it would be a difficult game. We played on Saturday and Wednesday and the last three games were in six days. In our situation that's the worst that can happen."
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Not that it was just Liverpool who suffered with the quick turnaround of Premier League matches. Not one of the 20 clubs were able to win all three games, with Fulham, Leicester City and Newcastle United taking the most points with seven.
Even Arsenal and Manchester City, whose midweek encounter was rescheduled due to the Gunners having to play a Europa League tie last Thursday, would have failed to take maximum points regardless, City having already lost at Liverpool while the Londoners were held at Southampton on Sunday.
With the incessant schedule now ramping up ahead of the World Cup - and, let's be honest, some players mindful of not missing a tournament that starts in less than four weeks - injuries and absences are now starting to bite into most squads.
But there's little doubt few are at present being hampered as much as Liverpool. The extent of that was laid bare at the City Ground when, for a variety of reasons, the team that took to the field contained at most four players who, on form, could be regarded as being in the first-choice XI.
There is rarely universal agreement over what constitutes the 'best' starting line-up. Just as it is rare for every player to be available for selection, even if that was the case on a surprising amount of occasions during the second half of last season for the Reds.
Klopp has always taken a 'horses for courses' approach - particularly in midfield - depending on the opponent, regardless of whom he can choose from. And the added unpredictability of a number of formation changes already this season makes it difficult to pin down a definitive line-up.
Alisson Becker, though, is the undisputed first-choice in goal. And, despite some drops in form this campaign, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are the full-backs with Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. The battle to partner the Dutchman has no clear winner, but the evidence of the last nine months indicates Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip remain ahead of Joe Gomez.
With Liverpool having switched to a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 formation, Thiago Alcantara is a mainstay in the central midfield duo, and Fabinho's alarming showings for much of the season means Jordan Henderson is arguably preferred to the Brazilian at present.
On the left, Luis Diaz has emerged as the strongest contender, Mohamed Salah is on the right and, in the centre, the choice would be between Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota, although Harvey Elliott could make a strong claim. And up top, Darwin Nunez's ongoing improvement would indicate he merits the starting role.
Against Forest on Saturday, only Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson and Firmino started in those positions. Salah was the attacking spearhead, Elliott on the right of midfield, Henderson and Alexander-Arnold on the bench. The rest were injured.
With Nunez again fit, Konate back in training and Liverpool hopeful Thiago will have overcome his ear infection, it's possible the team that steps out at the Johan Cruijff ArenA against Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday will be an awful lot closer to first choice.
And after the disappointment of the City Ground, Klopp knows the Reds need a show of strength if they are to book their place in the knockout stages with a game to spare.
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