MX23RW : Sunday, January 19 07:41:17| >> :60:54:54:

Jurgen Klopp concerned by defensive issues ahead of new season

Jurgen Klopp concerned by defensive issues
© Reuters
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hopes to find a solution to his defensive headache after being left with two fit centre-backs.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has joked that he will have to come up with a 'magic formation' after being given a defensive headache ahead of the new campaign.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are the Reds' only confirmed fit and available senior centre-backs for Tuesday evening's final pre-season friendly against Torino.

Fellow defenders Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan are struggling with hip and hamstring injuries respectively, while Croatia international Dejan Lovren only returned from his post-World Cup holiday on Monday.

Klopp is hoping to find a solution ahead of the big kickoff against West Ham United next weekend, telling the Liverpool Echo: "From six to three. Dejan didn't train so far. He is back Monday so probably won't play Tuesday and Sunday will be very difficult as well.

"Joel, we will have to see. Klavan, should not be too serious, but if Tuesday is too early I don't know yet. Maybe we will do some magic things with the formation on Tuesday. I don't know how we will do it.

"We have another game on Tuesday and we need to make sure we use that game as well. Then we have another five days. Now we have to make sure we find the 11 who are ready for the start and finish of the game.

"Obviously that is a different thing. We can't change six players after 60 minutes. The first two [Premier League] games at least are in the 'pre-season' [for the World Cup players]. It is like that a bit for the other teams but I'm not sure for West Ham and Crystal Palace."

Liverpool conceded 38 goals in the top flight last season - a tally bettered by only three other sides.

ID:332501: cacheID:332501:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2945:
Written by
Daniel Lewis
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp watches on during the Premier League match against Brighton on May 13, 2018
Read Next:
Jurgen Klopp happy with defensive options
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Washington
45-31
Lions
8pm
Rams
@
Eagles
11.30pm
Ravens
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool21155150203050
2Arsenal22128243212244
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
4Newcastle UnitedNewcastle22115638261238
5Chelsea21107441261537
6Bournemouth22107536261037
7Aston Villa2210663334-136
8Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
9Fulham228953430433
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2171043229331
11Brentford2284104039128
12Crystal Palace226972528-327
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd217592629-326
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2275102743-1626
15Tottenham HotspurSpurs21731143321124
16Everton203891526-1117
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2144133148-1716
18Ipswich TownIpswich2137112037-1716
19Leicester CityLeicester2235142348-2514
20Southampton2113171347-346


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!