Klopp Names Liverpool Trio Including Rhys Williams As Cover For Injured Van Dijk, Fabinho

Jurgen Klopp named two other defenders, apart from new Liverpool star Rhys Williams, who can step up in the absence of injured Virgil van Dijk and Fabinho after the Anfield side's 2-0 win over Midtjylland at home Tuesday.

Klopp, in an interview with Liverpool's official website, said his side as of now has young and inexperienced alternatives -- the duo of Nathaniel Phillips and Billy Koumetio, as possible replacements for the injured defenders for the upcoming games.

Brazilian defensive midfielder Fabinho, who was drafted at the backline as a cover for Virgil van Dijk, limped off in the first half of Tuesday’s Champions League win at Anfield. The 19-year-old Williams, who replaced Fabinho, was very impressive as Liverpool did not concede any goal. While Liverpool have not confirmed the intensity of Fabinho’s injury, the player has been taken off Brazil’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers fixtures against Venezuela and Uruguay, further exposing Klopp’s injury woes.

At the post-match interview after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Midtjylland, Klopp hailed England U21 player Rhys before adding there are other players who can step up as well as center-backs for The Reds.

"Williams did really well. The only problem we have now is unfortunately we have four days to the West Ham game and you will make every day a story of him and then he has to prove he can deal with that as well because before everything was calm around him. We try to do that as well. He’s a talent, he plays for England U20s, he’s 19 years old. I didn’t tell any news when I said he has more Champions League minutes than Premier League minutes because he didn’t play in the Premier League yet and has now two Champions League appearances," Klopp told Liverpool’s website.

Klopp also said that while Liverpool have won their opening two Champions League games, where Rhys played well and his talent looked promising.

"Apart from Rhys, we still have Nat Phillips, who for the reason that we thought he might make a transfer to another club, he is not in the Champions League squad, which is strange - but he is a center-half as well. Billy [Koumetio] the kid, I’m not sure if he can train now tomorrow or not but he will be back in training. So, we have very young and inexperienced alternatives, and at the moment, it looks like we have to choose one of them," added Klopp in the interview.

Liverpool are next in action Saturday as they host West Ham in the Premier League. The two Merseyside clubs -- Everton and Liverpool are currently the top two sides in the league with Carlo Ancelotti’s side ahead because of a better goal difference.