Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is concerned his side do not have the depth to deal with Daniel Sturridge's lay-off after a shock 3-1 defeat at the hands of Hull.
Rodgers confirmed that England striker Sturridge is facing up to two months on the sidelines following an ankle injury in training.
As well as Sturridge's absence, Phillipe Coutinho was restricted to 25 minutes from the bench having suffered with an ankle problem of his own all week.
"The quality of our squad isn't big enough to cope with two big players like that missing. No doubt it was a disruption," he said.
"Daniel is out for up to eight weeks which is a big blow for us and Phillipe didn't train all week. He had injections just to get on the bench.
Daniel Sturridge
Born: Birmingham, 1 September 1989
Clubs: Man City, Chelsea, Bolton (loan), Liverpool
England debut: v Sweden 15/11/11
England caps: 9
England goals: 2
"It's difficult if you take those two out, two players who have been very efficient for us this season.
"This little period will test us now but players will come in and it's a great opportunity to a stake a claim.
"We have a very busy period coming up and we've got a squad that needs as many of its good players as possible so it's not ideal."
Expanding on the nature of Sturridge's complaint, Rodgers added: "It was an ankle sprain in training. He just slipped on the surface.
"We thought initially it was the toe but he went straight to the medics and was getting a scan before the end of training. He'll be disappointed and it is a big blow for us."
Sturridge's injury is unlikely to rule him out of England's next match, when the Three Lions take on Denmark at Wembley Stadium on 5 March.
