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When Liverpool returns from the international break and plays Nottingham Forest at Anfield, there should be a couple of players properly back available for Arne Slot to select.
Alisson Becker is expected to return after his hamstring issue, while Alexander Isak was back in the matchday squad for the Manchester City game, even though he didn't feature. Playing a couple of games for Sweden in the next few days, assuming that he is managed correctly, could do him good.
While having Isak available again is a luxury problem for Slot, the Liverpool boss will have to find a way of getting the former Newcastle United man back up to full speed again.
So far, Isak has been playing catch-up. Just when he was getting close to full match fitness, he picked up a groin injury that meant he was sidelined again.
While Isak has been struggling for consistency because of his availability, Hugo Ekitike has been performing well. At this stage, the French forward is the summer signing who has performed the best.
Though Isak and Ekitike are both primarily number nines, there will be enough minutes for both to share. And it is also possible that they could be fielded together more often, as Ekitike showed this week.
Coming on late in France's 4-0 win over Ukraine that secured its place at the World Cup finals next summer, Ekitike scored a great goal and looked good playing off the left.
Replacing PSG's Bradley Barcola, he slotted in down that side of the field, albeit he was drifting inside a lot.
He scored when a long dribble from inside his own half resulted in a neat one-two with Kylian Mbappe inside the penalty area and a cool finish with his right foot.
On his fifth senior appearance for France, Ekitike netted his first goal at that level. And he impressed French fans and media alike.
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"Ekitike brought that extra spark of enthusiasm one expects from a new international, with a refreshing energy in an already emotionally charged evening," Footmercato wrote.
"This first goal could well be the start of a special relationship with French fans. And what if the new darling of Les Bleus had only just made his debut?"
France plays Azerbaijan next, on Sunday, when Ekitike could be afforded the chance to start. Whether he plays off the left again or from a central berth, it is clearly a role that he can thrive in.
With Slot looking for a way of fitting both Ekitike and Isak into the same team, that he looked so at home starting from a wide position has to be welcomed by Liverpool.
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