How Liverpool could line-up against West Ham

12:00pm on Friday 30th October 2020
By Martin Macdonald

Jurgen Klopp is set to hand a first Premier League start to young defender Rhys Williams for the game against West Ham on Saturday.

Liverpool are currently in the middle of a defensive crisis, with Virgil van Dijk ruled out for the most of the season, with Fabinho and Joel Matip recently joining the big Dutchman on the treatment table.

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Fabinho had been successfully deputising for Van Dijk in the centre of the Liverpool defence, but limped off against Midtjylland in the Champions League this week, leaving the Reds extremely short at the back.

Williams will likely partner Joe Gomez in defence versus West Ham.

Jordan Henderson was substituted at the break in the Champions League, but Klopp confirmed that this change was planned to give this captain a rest. He is fit to play against West Ham.

Thiago Alcantara and Naby Keita are still doubtful.

Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, and Roberto Firmino were all rested from the starting XI in the Champions League, so should all earn their place back on Saturday.