Martin Skrtel will miss the rest of Liverpool's festive fixtures after confirming via Instagram that a hamstring injury, picked up against Watford on Sunday, is likely to keep him out of action for around six weeks.
Slovakian limped off during Sunday's loss
Pulling up during Liverpool's game against the Hornets, Skrtel limped off with the physio and didn't come back into the game, as Jürgen Klopp's Reds lost 3-0, leading to the German describing it as "the most disappointing moment" of his time on L4 so far.
It had been first thought that the severity of Skrtel's problem could keep the Slovakian on the sidelines for around three months, however he stated via the social media site that the tear in his hamstring and tendon will only keep him out for around half that time, six weeks, and that he's already started working hard on his recovery.
An ever-present in Liverpool's league team this season, Skrtel is now extremely unlikely to return for the Capital One Cup semi-final fixtures against Stoke City, and could also miss crucial league matches against the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, amongst others.
Reds' defensive injury woes continue
Due to Dejan Lovren also being struck down injured, having picked up a knee problem against West Bromwich Albion, it's thought that Kolo Toure will come into the team for Boxing Day's game against table-toppers Leicester City, partnering Mamadou Sakho - who has only just returned from the treatment table himself.
It's not only those three who have had problems too, with Joe Gomez being another option at centre-back that is unavailable, due to being out for the season with an ACL injury.
All in all, it's been a long hard season so far for Liverpool's medical team, and their workload doesn't look like easing over the busy Christmas period.