Jurgen Klopp waits on 'horrible' outcome over Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and two other Liverpool players

The list almost reads like a succession of horror shows that highlighted just why Liverpool are preparing for a first Europa League stint in more than seven years.

A worrying 2-2 draw at Fulham. A dismal 0-0 stalemate at Everton. Dreadful defeat at Nottingham Forest. Another dire goalless draw at home to Chelsea. A shock loss at Bournemouth. And a 4-1 humbling at champions-elect Manchester City.

As well as being marker points throughout a turbulent campaign, the six results - three draws, three defeats - also have one other aspect in common. They were all 12.30pm kick-offs, Jurgen Klopp's least favourite time for a Premier League match.

The latter loss at City also saw another Klopp gripe of being an early game after an international break, a situation in which Liverpool find themselves once again on Saturday when they resume their campaign at Wolves.

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Liverpool's early kick-off woes last season are all the more curious given that, in the previous campaign, they won all five such fixtures without conceding a goal.

But the greater concern for Klopp this time around is the international commitments of much of his squad, some of whom are likely to arrive back on Merseyside barely two days before kick-off at Molineux. Fingers are crossed not only in the hope that players avoid injury, but that fatigue and jet lag don't also become an issue.

"The boys fly now all over the world now, which is horrible," said Klopp earlier this month. "Pretty much 48 hours after our South Americans play somewhere on the other end of the world, we will play against