Liverpool legend Steve McMahon thinks the Reds simply cannot afford to suffer any further injuries to key players in Saturday's Premier League meeting with Stoke City.
The Reds crushed Roma 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie at Anfield on Tuesday night, but there was a sour taste to the evening as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was forced off with a bad injury.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been tipped to miss the rest of the season and could also miss the World Cup in the summer.
Liverpool are stretched, especially in midfield, with Adam Lallana and Emre Can also out of action, and McMahon is worried about an aggressive Stoke side inflicting further blows at the weekend.
He said on LFC TV: "There's a tough game at the weekend with Stoke, quite an aggressive side.
relatedNewsStory
"So if they are at the races and they start to get in your face….
"There's no way Liverpool can afford to get injuries before the next game [against Roma].
"Otherwise they will be at sixes and sevens", McMahon added.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may choose to ring the changes for the weekend meeting with Stoke, but the Reds also have an eye on locking down a top four spot in the Premier League, which is not yet complete.
Stoke meanwhile are deep in trouble in the relegation zone, four points from safety with three games left.
