The nine Liverpool injury doubts for Arsenal clash as the international break takes its toll

Kopites always head into the international break with both fingers crossed none of Liverpool's players will be added to the injury list.

After all, it was a defence crisis last term that played a significant part in the Reds relinquishing their Premier League crown in such disappointing fashion.

However, following the final round of World Cup qualifying fixtures, Jurgen Klopp will be cutting a frustrated figure.

The number of players in the Liverpool treatment room has now increased.

And with Arsenal visiting Anfield on Saturday (17.30 GMT), the Reds could be without a total of nine first-team players.

Who was already injured?

Liverpool already had six players sidelined before the hiatus of the season.

Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and James Milner all had hamstring problems, with the former duo not going away with Brazil and Guinea respectively.

In training footage uploaded to Liverpool's Youtube channel on Tuesday, Firmino and Keita were not present.

Meanwhile, Milner - who came off in last month’s 5-0 win at Manchester United- was completing work away from the main group.

The Athletic reports Firmino - who sustained his setaback in the 2-0 Champions League win over Atletico Madrid. could be absent until the middle of December.

Keita, who limped off in the 2-2 draw with Brighton, has been predicted to be out for 4-6 weeks.

Curtis Jones suffered a freak eye injury that ruled him out of the 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and the 3-2 loss at West Ham.

The midfielder is still several weeks away from returning to training, Liverpool doctor Jim Moxon told the club’s website.

Joe Gomez also missed the last two games before the international break with a calf issue. He too was not spotted training on Tuesday and there's no update on his progress yet.

Harvey Elliott was filmed training on the grass at the AXA Training Centre as he continues his rehabilitation after dislocating his ankle at Leeds in September.

He’s unlikely to be available until after the new year given the nature of his problem and will need to get back up to match speed.

Who's been added to the injury list?

Jordan Henderson returned early from England duty to be assessed by Liverpool.

The Reds skipper played a starring role in the Three Lions’ 5-0 thrashing of Albania on Friday, scoring one goal and recording an assist.

However, he was sent home afterwards and missed the 10-0 demolition of San Marino as England booked their spot in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Henderson was captured training alongside Milner, which suggests he might not be back in time for the Gunners’ visit.

To make matters worse, Andy Robertson was withdrawn in Scotland's 2-0 win over Denmark on Monday.

It's reported Robertson felt a hamstring problem at half-time but played on until the final 10 minutes as Steve Clarke's men cemented a play-off spot.

And to compound Liverpool's misery, Divock Origi is the latest casualty.

On the striker's return to the Belgium squad, he came off in the 58th minute of their 1-1 draw with Wales last night.

However, it's been reported by Sky Sports' Patrick Davison that Origi had a dead leg and Belgium manager Roberto Martintez believes he should be given the green light to face Arsenal.

Mane boost

There were fears Sadio Mane could also be set for a period on the sidelines.

He came off in Senegal's 1-1 draw with Togo on Thursday.

Mane did not feature for his country in their 2-0 win over Congo on Sunday but was training with Liverpool's main group yesterday.

That suggests the winger, who has scored six goals this season, should be fine to face Arsenal.