Jurgen Klopp believes that Liverpool's fixture break due to a lack of cup games at the end of January will be "100 per cent helpful" to his squad.
The Premier League leaders are in the midst of a injury crisis, with Fabinho deployed at centre-back in Saturday's 1-0 win at Brighton due to a lack of defensive options.
Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez are out of action, while Joel Matip was named on the bench against Brighton as he returns from a shoulder injury.
Klopp was forced to field 16-year-old Ka-Jana Hoever in Liverpool's 2-1 FA Cup exit at Wolves after Lovren was injured early on, though Fabinho's impressive performance on Saturday was a boost to the Anfield coach during a busy fixture period.
Liverpool are set to enjoy a much-needed January break, with the Reds having already been knocked out of both the EFL Cup and FA Cup.
The title favourites host Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday 19, and then embark on an 11-day gap before returning to action against Leicester City on Merseyside on January 30.
Klopp believes that the lack of games will help some of his injured players recuperate before they launch an assault on both the Premier League title and Champions League.
"The break that we are getting at the end of January is going to be 100 per cent helpful for the boys with injuries," Klopp told the Liverpool Echo.
"I hope that Dejan and Joe make big steps to come forward.
In Pictures | Brighton vs Liverpool | 12/01/2019
"For Adam (Lallana) it might be a bit early but we have a few players out and they need the time.
"We have Joel now back as he was on the bench against Brighton but he as well will use the time for bone healing and it all helps so it's good for us in that way."
