Michael Owen has been ruled out for another three weeks following a scan today on the thigh muscle he injured last night in Liverpool's UEFA Cup win over Steaua Bucharest.
The England striker, said Anfield boss Gerard Houllier "has torn muscle fibres" in his right leg.
It puts Owen out of Sunday's Premiership home game with Birmingham and is the latest injury blow to hit the 24-year-old in recent months.
Owen damaged his shin during the 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal on October 7 and was ruled out for England in Turkey and the next two Liverpool matches.
He then returned against Leeds on October 5 but then was ruled out with an ankle problem.
In all he has played only three of the last nine Liverpool matches and it may be Christmas before the striker is back in action.