Jordan Henderson believes Liverpool's centre-backs are giving Jurgen Klopp a problem - because they are the best set of defenders during his time at the club.
Klopp has a wealth of options at his disposal in the heart of the backline with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Nat Phillips all vying for a position.
It's in stark contrast to last season when Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip were all sidelined by long-term injuries, prompting Klopp to promote Academy defenders Phillips and Rhys Williams to help secure Champions League qualification.
And Henderson - who also had a stint at centre-back last term alongside Fabinho and on-loan Ozan Kabak - admits Klopp is now facing a different kind of selection concern.
"It was around autumn last year that we started to wonder who would be available to play centre-back for us as injuries began to hit," said the Liverpool skipper.
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"This time around, the gaffer has the opposite problem - he has to decide which of our outstanding centre-backs he will pick for any particular game.
"Without even asking him, I know which 'problem' he would prefer to have, but this definitely doesn't mean it is suddenly easy for him.
"Having the kind of strength in depth we have in that position is undoubtedly brilliant for us, especially after what happened last season, but leaving any of our centre-backs out when they're fit and available must be incredibly difficult because they all have so much to offer.
"Playing in front of these lads, I'm better-placed than many to appreciate their quality and right now I think I can safely say that in my time at Liverpool we haven't had a better crop of centre-backs."
While the Reds conceded twice when being held at home by Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday, they have kept eight clean sheets in 15 games in all competitions this season.
And Henderson, speaking to the official Liverpool matchday programme, is adamant the return of the main defensive options has already had a significant positive impact.
"What happened to Virg, Joel and Joe last season still feels a bit surreal," he said.
"We did our very best to cope without them and not one of us made any excuses, but now that we're in a position of strength I think the difference between the two situations and the different ways they impact on the rest of the team is staring us in the face.
"I'm not petty enough to point out that some of our biggest critics from last season should take note of the difference, but it stands to reason that any team will be better if its centre-backs are fit and available.
"One thing I can definitely say is the team is undoubtedly better and stronger without the gaffer having to play me there!"
