Liverpool played down Divock Origi's absence from their friendly defeat to Hertha Berlin on Thursday.

Origi was conspicuous by his absence during Liverpool's 4-3 defeat by Hertha in pre-season yesterday - but there was a simple reason behind his non-involvement.

Liverpool ramped up their preparations for the 2021/22 campaign with a 90-minute work-out against Hertha on Thursday night in Innsbruck, Austria.

The Liverpool Echo says Origi's absence was put down as a 'precautionary' move due to a 'minor injury'.

Reports have suggested that Liverpool need to sell some of their current players before they can add to their squad.

Origi scored Liverpool's only goal in their 1-1 friendly draw against Wacker Innsbruck on July 20 and remains a part of Jurgen Klopp's pre-season.