As well as a bruising defeat at Old Trafford, there was damage done to some of Jurgen Klopp’s side. Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez were all said to have picked up muscle issues and knocks.

“Now the boys go on international duty, we hope they come back healthy,” said Klopp. “Lucho [Diaz] felt his groin, Darwin hamstring. Cody twisted his ankle. They play again in four or five days, it’s crazy.

“Hopefully we will finish the season in style. I really feel for our people.”

Diaz and Gakpo reported for international duty on Monday, while Nunez pulled out of Uruguay’s upcoming friendlies to continue his recovery on Merseyside. He will join Mohamed Salah, who came through unscathed in Manchester on Sunday, but Liverpool had already made a special request to Egypt for the 32-year-old to sit out of their upcoming matches.

Liverpool are second in the Premier League on goal difference behind Arsenal, with a point cushion over third-placed Manchester City. Injuries have decimated Klopp’s selection options with Salah and Nunez only recently returning to the fold, while the Reds manager has been forced to settle without Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Prior to Sunday’s FA Cup exit, Klopp detailed that some of the absentees could return for the title run-in. He said: “Who can be back after the international break? Curtis and I think Diogo and Trent for the week after, they have a chance.”

How the Liverpool players on international duty come through their respective matches remains to be seen, but against United the toils of their recent schedule told. Curtis Jones could return for the visit of Roberto De Zerbi’s side to Anfield but, as Klopp mentioned, for Jota and Liverpool vice-captain Alexander-Arnold, the clash against the Seagulls is likely to come too soon.

Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to continue in goal for Liverpool in Alisson’s absence. The Brazilian has been sidelined with a muscle problem since suffering a hamstring injury on the eve of their trip to Brentford.

The Bees encounter proved to be even more problematic as Jota and Jones joined the growing injury list but there has been no real update on Alisson since his setback. Klopp detailed that it is not the type of injury that would see him in contention within a matter of weeks. So far Alisson has missed eight matches in all competitions.

Joe Gomez and Andy Robertson started in the full-back positions at Old Trafford and with the ongoing injury issues for Alexander-Arnold, the pair will be in the frame to play at Anfield upon the return of domestic football. However, there is an argument for Conor Bradley to return to the right-back slot after showing good form in the England international’s absence.

Ibrahima Konate was taken off during the first leg against Sparta Prague as a precaution, but he has since missed the last three, though there could be positive signs over the next week with France given that he joined up with Didier Deschamps’ squad on Monday. Virgil van Dijk is the only bonafide starter.

Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo have both enjoyed a strong run of form together in the starting line-up and, injuries permitted, it would be expected that they continue from the offset against Brighton. The question mark would be whether Jones returns immediately, but with a lack of game time and rhythm, it would be a risk to immediately thrust him into the starting XI. It’s a similar story for Ryan Gravenberch, although he was an unused substitute at Old Trafford, which suggests he is further along.

The switch could see Harvey Elliott return to midfield having featured in the right of a front-three as he deputised for Salah. Dominik Szoboszlai is another contender after showing glimpses that he was beginning to get back to his best during Sunday’s defeat.