Liverpool face central defensive crisis ahead of West Ham clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may consider drafting club graduate Nathaniel Phillips into the central defence alongside Virgil van Dijk for the season opener.

The Reds are likely to be without Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan due to injuries suffered in pre-season and they are expected to be joined by Dejan Lovren, who has complained about a stomach muscle issue.

As such, Joe Gomez has been fancied to partner Van Dijk at the heart of the backline but Klopp may resort to Phillips, should the Englishman not recover completely from his recent niggle, The Liverpool Echo claims.

Aside from this, Fabinho is expected to wait for his debut after picking up a head injury during the pre-season closer and Georiginio Wijnaldum is supposedly in line to replace him.

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign with a home fixture against West Ham United and the game promises to be an entertainer with both sides making sufficient transfer business during the summer.