Jurgen Klopp confirmed Roberto Firmino was injured in training for Liverpool "two days ago" as he missed the Carabao Cup clash against Manchester City.
The Liverpool manager admitted Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Alisson Becker all could have played in the cup tie with City, but it was decided more rest would be given to the World Cup trio.
Virgil van Dijk has now returned to training after Netherlands were knocked out of the World Cup by Argentina in a quarter-final penalty shootout.
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Klopp allowed Van Dijk two extra days of resting because he is one of Liverpool's "all-time players". The defender could be back in the squad to take on Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
"That’s all good, we play mainly with the players that could do all the sessions now over the break, apart from Bobby who was unfortunately injured two days ago in training, not a big one but big enough for this period," Klopp told Sky Sports ahead of the game against Man City.
"Darwin is starting, could have started anyway, but he is starting now, and all the others could have played - Hendo could have played, Fabinho could have played, Ali could have played but that’s clear (why he is not) with the competition.
"Virgil arrived yesterday but we gave him two days more because really he’s our all-time player, played all the games for us and for Holland, so really makes sense to give him two days more, because obviously a really important part of the season is ahead of us and we are really desperate to make sure that we do the right thing."
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