Jürgen Klopp was expected to be at Anfield today as his Liverpool team prepare to face North East outfit Sunderland, but now it has been announced that he will not be in the dugout through illness.
A bout of appendicitis is the reason behind his absence, with the manager handing the reigns over to his coaching staff; Zeljko Buvac, Peter Krawietz, Pepijn Lijnders and John Achterber.
With a mass walk out scheduled by the Reds' supporters, the illness to their manager will only increase the media coverage of the Premier League fixture.
Klopp striking back
In his pre-Sunderland press conference, Klopp called upon his Liverpool side to "strike back" when squaring up against the Black Cats today.
With his side currently experiencing a stale period which has seen them lost three out of their past five league fixtures, his absence will only frustrate the former Borussia Dortmund manager.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, the 48-year-old was in high spirits as he said his team have "made a few transfers - and good transfers" since their previous meeting on 28 December. However, he will not be able to oversee his team today.
Walk out plans
Due to ticket prices rising from next season onwards due to the main stand remodeling, a Liverpool supporters' group has organised a mass walk out at today's game.
Beginning at the 77th minute in protest at the proposed £77 ticket to sit in the new main stand, fans will leave the stadium - mainly in the Kop section - but the group hope that once some fans leave, more will follow.
The ticket prices are set to reach a record high in the Premier League next season, with an average ticket to watch the Reds being one of the most expensive in the world.
Owners Fenway Sports Group are yet to comment on the situation, but current Chief Executive Officer Ian Ayre has urged fans to "look at the facts," saying that "no one is being priced out of the stadium".
The 52-year-old pointed to the fact that 64% of season ticket prices are set to decrease or freeze. "There is a seat (available) for everyone at the right price."