Liverpool expect midfielder Philippe Coutinho to be sidelined until January

Coutinho has undergone a scan, and although the Merseyside club are yet to confirm the full extent of his injury the most optimistic diagnosis would rule him out for six weeks.

Liverpool remain cautious about putting such a timescale on Coutinho’s recovery at this stage, however and have not yet declared how long they will be without the 24-year-old.

Coutinho was stretchered off during the second half at Anfield on Saturday  CREDIT: REX FEATURES

Coutinho, naturally, will be eager to return as quickly as possible but Jürgen Klopp is resigned to having to cope without his playmaker during the Christmas schedule.

“The best thing would be for him not to be out but it is not really likely,” Klopp said on Monday afternoon. “We have to wait for the scan and then we will know.”

 Among other games, Coutinho will miss the first Merseyside derby and Manchester City’s trip to Anfield – a potentially critical game in the title race – on New Year’s Eve.

Coutinho cut a forlorn figure as he underwent a scan at the privateSpire Hospital in South Liverpool on Monday.

However, having feared the worst when he was carried off on a stretcher during the 2-0 win over Sunderland, it has come as some relief the injury is likely to deprive him of football for weeks rather than months.

His absence does create selection problems for Klopp for the coming weeks, however, especially given Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana are not available for Tuesday's EFL Cup quarter-final with Leeds United at Anfield.

“You need to listen to the players and figure out if they are ready or not,” said Klopp.

“It is not allowed to take any risks, it is about having a line-up which can stand the intensity of the game because Leeds are in a really good moment.

“They are a football-playing side and they will force us into a lot of things so we need to work hard in these games so the players need to be fit for this.

 “We don't want to rest somebody who doesn't need a rest. It is possible we make a few changes, it is possible we will play nearly the same team.”

 The only change Klopp did confirm is Simon Mignolet will replace Loris Karius.

“For sure, if nothing happens, Simon [Mignolet] will play,” said Klopp.