Defensive problems for Reds boss

London – Liverpool face potential defensive problems ahead of Sunday’s Premier League opener against West Ham United, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez their only senior centrebacks fit and available, manager Juergen Klopp said.

Joel Matip (hip) and Ragnar Klavan (hamstring) both missed Saturday’s 5-0 thrashing of Italian side Napoli due to injuries and are doubtful for Liverpool’s final pre-season match against Torino today.

“Joel, we’ll have to see. Klavan, shouldn’t be too serious, but if Tuesday is too early I don’t know,” Klopp told the Liverpool Echo.

“Maybe we will do some magic things with the formation. I don’t know how we will do it.”

Croatian Dejan Lovren rejoined the squad yesterday after an extended break following the World Cup but is a doubt for the next two games.

“Dejan hasn’t trained so far. He probably won’t play Tuesday and Sunday will be very difficult as well,” Klopp added. “The first two league games at least are in the ‘pre-season’ (for the World Cup players).”

Liverpool finished fourth last season and reached the final of the Champions League where they were beaten by Real Madrid.

“The league will be difficult,” Klopp said. “It is not about judging our situation and thinking it’s really good.

“We need to be ready each week.” – Reuters