Jurgen Klopp urged patience with Naby Keita after the Liverpool midfielder made his return to action during Wednesday's 2-0 EFL Cup win over MK Dons.
The Guinea international has been sidelined with a muscular problem since early August, meaning his only previous appearance this season came in the Community Shield meeting with Manchester City.
James Milner and teenage defender Ki-Jana Hoever got the goals, while youngster Harvey Elliott caught the eye in Liverpool's victory at Stadium MK.
It was sometimes heavier going for Keita during his 63 minutes on the field, but Klopp insisted that was to be expected.