Liverpool could reportedly have to make do without the services of Daniel Sturridge for the remainder of 2014.
The striker has been sidelined since the end of August with a combination of calf and thigh injuries.
He had recently returned to training, which had resulted in suggestions that he could return to the squad for this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace.
However, speculation yesterday claimed that the 25-year-old had suffered a setback in his recovery from the thigh complaint, which the Reds fear will keep the England international out of action until 2015, according to The Independent.
Sturridge's teammate Jordan Henderson is also a doubt for the Palace clash because of a hamstring problem.