Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Lucas Leiva will be out for around six weeks with a thigh problem.
Leiva, a midfielder by trade, stood out at centre-back in last Sunday's Capital One Cup final defeat to Manchester City, but was then absent from Wednesday's rematch in the Premier League at Anfield.
Klopp said today at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace that the injury was worse than first expected and that the Brazilian would be out for at least a month and up to six weeks.
Leiva's absence is alleviated by the return of Martin Skrtel, who could make his first Premier League start of 2016 on Sunday.