Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp conceded that his side "missed" Darwin Nunez in their dull 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Reds went with a front three of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota against the Eagles due to a setback in Nunez's recovery from a shoulder injury.
The Uruguay international sustained the problem during the Reds' win over Newcastle United last weekend, although he was given the green light to face Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek following pain injections.
However, having suffered a knock to the same area, Nunez was forced to watch Liverpool labour to a point, one which takes them into seventh in the Premier League table.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Klopp admitted that the presence of an in-form Nunez would have been useful, although he insisted that his side can survive without the 23-year-old.
"In moments like this [we miss Darwin Nunez], but we can play without him. We have Diogo on the pitch who can be the threat in behind as well. When Mo and Cody are dropping, Diogo has to be there," Klopp said.
In Nunez's absence, both Jota and Salah struck the woodwork on a frustrating evening for Liverpool, with the former's first-half header striking the outside of the post from an incredibly tight angle.
Within four minutes of the second half, Salah's curling effort crashed the underside of the bar before Palace cleared the danger, and either side of the Reds' two gilt-edged chances, Jean-Philippe Mateta also struck the frame of the goal from close range.
Klopp believed that his side "killed the atmosphere" with the way they played at Selhurst Park, adding: "I liked the start to the game. The dynamic was good, the passes were good.
"In the end, because we didn't threaten them in behind enough, we had to play in between the lines. They had no shots on target, I think we had three or four.
"We hit the crossbar from Mo, had a header from Diogo and Cody's situation late in the game. Usually we score one or two from the chances we had. We didn't do that tonight.
"I think we killed the atmosphere with the way we played. When football is predictable, it means it's easier to defend. To be unpredictable you need different movements, that's what we have to offer in behind the lines as well.
"It was always in the midfield area. We gave balls away, but they were really aggressive as well. You feel something's not right, but it's an away point and it's OK. It's not brilliant, but it's OK."
Liverpool hold a one-point lead over Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion in the race for European football, and they now prepare for another meeting with familiar foes Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Wednesday evening. body check tags ::
