Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he will not rush his injured defensive players back before they are ready despite a mounting injury list that now includes Fabinho.
The Brazilian midfielder filled in for long-term absentee Virgil van Dijk for Tuesday's Champions League win against Midtjylland but limped off in the first half with a muscle issue.
Liverpool face a nervous wait to find out the extent of the injury, with Van Dijk already set to miss most of the season after suffering a serious knee injury in the Merseyside derby against Everton 10 days ago.
Teenager Rhys Williams, who came on for Fabinho, could make his Premier League debut against West Ham on Saturday, with Klopp unsure whether Joel Matip, another who has spent time on the treatment table this season, will be available.
"If it would be only one game we play, if it was the last game of the season, then I think we could make probably one or the other fit for one game," he said.
"But then we play three days later again [at Atalanta] and we need again players.
"The players who are now injured, we cannot use them on the first day of being fit again, or not injured any more. They need then a proper build-up for the rest of the season, and that's what we try."
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Liverpool ratings v Midtjylland
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LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6: Had little work to do after blocking Anders Dreyer's attempt in the third minute but makes team-mates feel secure. Always offers an outlet ball for a defender under pressure. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8: The main source of Liverpool’s threat. Consistently superb delivery. Crucial role in creating the opening goal and provided the defence-splitting pass that allowed Salah to earn the penalty. EPA -
Joe Gomez - 6: Was comfortable for much of the game, although rather wasteful in possession. Impressive in the air early on. The last 10 minutes were a concern because Midtjylland’s late charge exposed his uncertainties. Reuters -
Fabinho - 5: Pulled up with a hamstring injury after 27 minutes. Was composed until that point. Replaced by Rhys Williams as Liverpool’s problems in the centre of defence escalated. AP -
Andrew Robertson - 4: The Scot had a bad start when he allowed Anders Dreyer to run in behind the defence. Did not improve significantly. Worst performance for some time. AFP -
Jordan Henderson - 5: Dropped a little deeper to help protect Williams when the 19-year-old came on. Withdrawn at the break for Wijnaldum in a planned switch as Jurgen Klopp shared the workload around the midfield, which was a surprising substitution in the circumstances. EPA -
James Milner - 5: Showed his experience – and earned a yellow card - when bringing down Pione Sisto to stop a first-half Midtjylland break. Worked hard but had little creative input. EPA -
Xherdan Shaqiri - 6: Anonymous until his splendid threaded ball to Alexander-Arnold helped set up the opening goal. Grew in confidence afterwards. AFP -
Diogo Jota - 5: Struggled against the massed Midtjylland defence. Was in the perfect position to slot home Alexander-Arnold’s cross for the opening goal but it was the only memorable moment for the Portuguese. Taken off for Firmino in the closing stages. EPA -
Takumi Minamino - 4: Had the best of Liverpool’s first-half chances. Control let him down in the box and then was unable to connect with a tempting Alexander-Arnold cross. Still has plenty to prove. AFP -
Divock Origi – 3: Slows things down up front and the problem is exacerbated when the Belgian drops deep looking for the ball. A blunt instrument who is useful on occasion. This was not the occasion. Withdrawn on the hour for Mane. AP -
SUBS: Rhys Williams - 6: On for Fabinho at the half-hour mark. The 19-year-old showed confidence, did the simple things well and was aware enough to cut out a dangerous through ball in the second half. AP -
Georginio Wijnaldum - 5: Provided energy in midfield after replacing Henderson at the break. Steady rather than spectacular display. EPA -
Mohamed Salah - 7: Was an immediate threat after coming on for Minamino on the hour. Earned and scored the late penalty that made the game safe. The Egyptian’s mere presence terrifies defenders. Was limping afterwards, which is a worry for Klopp. EPA -
Sadio Mane - 6: Quicker in thought and movement than Origi, who the Senegalese replaced in the 60th minute. Increased Liverpool’s level of threat. AP -
Roberto Firmino - 4: Replaced Jota for the last nine minutes. Blazed the ball over the bar in the waning moments, wasting a straightforward opportunity to score. AP
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Klopp opted to start Tuesday's match with Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on the bench and Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in the first half.
But Diogo Jota tapped home in the 55th minute after good work by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xherdan Shaqiri, and substitute Salah converted a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-0 win.
The result leaves Liverpool two points clear at the top of Group D after winning both of their first two matches.
