Liverpool hit by ANOTHER defensive injury scare as Rhys Williams is left out of England U21 side to face Albania ‘as a precaution’ with Jurgen Klopp sweating over his fitness before Sunday’s showdown with Leicester
Liverpool have been dealt yet another injury scare in defence with centre-back Rhys Williams left out of England’s Under 21 squad to face Albania on Tuesday night.
The move is understood to be precautionary for a minor issue but for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, it will be alarming news as his Anfield injury list continues to lengthen.
Joe Gomez sustained what is likely to be a season-ending injury with the senior England side last week while Virgil van Dijk is set to miss the 2020-21 campaign.
Rhys Williams was left out of the England U21 squad to face Albania on Tuesday night
The news will alarm Jurgen Klopp – pictured on Tuesday at Liverpool’s new training base
Williams would have likely been named as a substitute for Sunday’s clash against Premier League leaders Leicester, with Nathaniel Phillips set to start alongside Joel Matip.
Williams is in Liverpool’s Champions League squad but Phillips is not, meaning Klopp will have to rotate the two for their domestic and European campaigns.
Liverpool’s next Champions League game is next Wednesday, against Atalanta at Anfield. Victory would seal their place in the knock-out stages of the tournament.
The 2020-21 season has signalled a phenomenal rise for Williams, who before the first Covid-19 lockdown was on loan at National League North side Kidderminster Harriers.
After returning to Liverpool and impressing Klopp in a limited pre-season, he has stepped up and made five appearances so far this season – two in the EFL Cup and three in the Champions League.
Injuries permitting, he will have more of a look-in in the coming months as Klopp tries to juggle a packed fixture list with limited defensive options.
At present, as well as Gomez and Van Dijk on the sidelines, Fabinho is recovering from a hamstring injury. The Brazil midfielder has already proven himself as an adept centre-back and his absence further exposes Klopp’s less experienced back-up.
Source link