Gini Wijnaldum says Liverpool have to show they can cope in Fabinho’s absence.
Fears over the Brazil international facing a potential lay-off have arisen after he limped out in the first half of Wednesday’s Champions League draw with Napoli.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be without Fabinho for this weekend’s visit of Brighton due to serving a one-match suspension for picking up five bookings this term.
But the European champions are sweating on whether the influential enforcer’s ankle injury will sideline him for the Merseyside derby showdown with Everton.
Wijnaldum has previously operated in the no.6 role that Fabinho has made his own in the past 12 months and could reprise the position against the Seagulls.
And the Dutchman admits that Liverpoool will have to take the possible setback to his midfield cohort in their stride should their worst fears be confirmed.
He said: “It is a blow, a big blow for the whole team, of course also for him as a player but there are situations you have to deal with.
“I think during the years we have had a few blows, injury and we just have to show we can deal with the situation.
“I have played it (that position) last season. You think I am ready? We will see.
“We just have to show that it don’t affect us. During the years we had some difficult injuries and difficult positions.
“Last season when we didn’t have a right [sided] defender, we just have to deal with it so we will see.”
The stalemate with Napoli means that the Reds now head into their final Group E fixture at Red Bull Salzburg needing a point to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Wijnaldum is under no illusions about the impending showdown in Austria but believes that both sides will head into the encounter with mountains to climb.
“Champions League games will always be difficult,” he admitted.
“It also depends how you go into the game. The game against Salzburg at home, we started really well and we make it difficult for ourselves after we score the goals.
“Of course they get the credit but we didn’t do the things we did in the beginning so we will see.
“It’s definitely going to be a tough game but it will be tough for both teams.”