Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is set to be out for about three months with a thigh injury.
The Brazilian missed most of last season with a serious knee problem and will again be sidelined after sustaining his newest injury during the warm-up before the 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed that Lucas would miss a large chunk of the new campaign and was gutted for the player.
"It is very unfortunate. He has worked ever so hard to come back and he has been an outstanding player for me and person off the field as well," he said.
"The indications are two to three months. It is quite a unique injury at the top of his right thigh.
"He has had a scan and we will see a specialist this evening. We'll see if it needs an operation or whether it is just recuperation."
