Jurgen Klopp has downplayed concerns over Virgil van Dijk’s withdrawal.
Van Dijk was replaced by Joe Gomez midway through the second half of Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Southampton on Saturday with an apparent rib injury.
The Holland defender’s substitution prompted fears that he could be sidelined for the Reds’ upcoming games, including next week’s double-header with Chelsea.
But Klopp insists that Van Dijk’s knock to an already bruised rib, sustained before the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, is unlikely to be serious.
He said: “He already had a bruise in the ribs before the PSG game, which is very uncomfortable and today he got another hit there.
“It’s not cool but should not be too serious.
“It should be absolutely OK, hopefully. I didn’t hear anything different.”
The Liverpool manager also revealed why he substituted Xherdan Shaqiri at half-time despite the winger having a direct hand in two of his side’s goals.
Shaqiri helped open the scoring when Wesley Hoedt turned his cross into the Saints’ net before Mohamed Salah later scored from his rebounded free kick.
“It was not easy, to be honest. It’s my job to sometimes deliver news nobody wants to hear,” admitted Klopp.
“That’s how it was at half-time but he is a fantastic boy. I explained it to him so it’s no problem. Usually I don’t explain substitutions at half-time but I thought it made sense.
“It’s just good to have him; the free-kick was outstanding. That’s good. The whole team was not used to what we did today.
“As a new player, usually you struggle most but he didn’t – he tried everything.
“The only problem was defensively. Offensively, it was a good idea but, how I said, we have to work on that more often. But he was good and I liked it.”