Liverpool managed to get through the Brighton game with only one fit out-and-out centre-back but the injury problems in defence continue to worsen for them.
The latest setback sees right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out for up to a month with a knee ligament injury.
The 20-year-old was injured during the warm-up before their victory over Brighton but, after moving gingerly at points, he soldiered on and ended up playing the full 90 minutes.
However, it appears he hasn’t recovered from the knock and Alexander-Arnold joins Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip on the treatment table as Liverpool prepare for their next Premier League game at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Meanwhile, there are also concerns surrounding the fitness of midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum too.
So ahead of the Palace game at Anfield, who could Jurgen Klopp pick for his starting XI?
Below you can see the different team selection scenarios facing the Liverpool boss in light of the latest injury news.
It’s been a positive season for Liverpool thus far, so it’s only appropriate to look at the best case scenario for Klopp this weekend.
Lovren and Matip are injured but both are close to a return with Matip even returning to training on the eve of the win against the Seagulls.
If Lovren and Matip are both available then the Croatian will probably partner Virgil van Dijk but Matip is closer to full fitness so is the likely choice.
Meanwhile, midfielder Fabinho could play at right-back as not only does he have some experience at playing as a centre-back for Liverpool, he has a wealth of experience at full-back during his career.
However, James Milner can also play at full-back. The 33-year-old played the bulk of the 2016/17 season at left-back and also played on the right during Liverpool’s 4-0 win at Bournemouth in December.
This would then see Fabinho play in his natural holding midfield position alongside captain Jordan Henderson.
If Lovren and Matip are not considered fit enough to play, Klopp will be forced to do a bit more rejigging.
Fabinho could slot in at centre-back as he did against Brighton, where he looked comfortable, while Milner could play at right-back.
Wijnaldum’s knock could therefore give low on confidence midfielder Naby Keita a chance to prove himself in a game against a Palace side where Liverpool are expected to carve out many goalscoring opportunities.
If Klopp is feeling particularly daring though in Lovren and Matip’s absence he could play Milner at right-back and Fabinho in his natural position.
This could then give Ki-Jana Hoever a second appearance for the senior side after the 16-year-old acquitted himself well during the Reds’ FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
But this is the Premier League which Liverpool are clearly prioritising so it’s doubtful Klopp would try anything like that.
