Liverpool have lost England midfielder Steven Gerrard for a minimum of three weeks.
The youngster was carried off with a groin injury during Wednesday's Champions League match with Galatasaray at Anfield.
The injury immediately ruled him out of tomorrow's Merseyside derby with Everton but caretaker-boss Phil Thompson today confirmed Gerrard would miss the next three weeks.
It means he will not travel with the party on Sunday for the return in Istanbul and he could also miss matches against Fulham, Newcastle and Barcelona.
Thompson said: "It would have been unfair straight after the match to have made a quick decision about his fitness.
"He has had a scan and we now do not expect him back for as long as three weeks.
"Because of the sort of injuries Steven has had in the past we have to be very careful with him and not take any risks.
"What is a shame is that he has recently rediscovered his form and is just getting better and better."
PA