Ings endured the setback when he turned during a training session at Melwood on Wednesday and, while he initially thought the problem was with his meniscus, scans yesterday revealed the extent of the injury.

He will require surgery to repair a partial tear of the ligament and is hopeful of being out for nearer six months than nine months. In contrast, 18-year-old Gomez ruptured his ACL while playing for England Under-21s against Kazakhstan on Tuesday and is facing a full, painstaking rehabilitation.

The grim medical bulletins represent a stark return to management for Klopp, who has only two recognised strikers in Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi for the trip to White Hart Lane with Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino still injured.