Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he will be without midfielder Fabinho as his side host West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday.
Fabinho limped out of Liverpool’s Champions League win in midweek having been filling in for the injured Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk.
While the Brazilian is expected to be out of the game, centre back Matip could make a return having missed out in their last outing in the top flight against Sheffield United.
“Fab is not in, a little injury, out for the weekend and slightly longer but all the others are in contention," Klopp told the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game.
“I realised long ago that life is a challenge. This is a challenge 100 per cent. We will deal with the situation and make the best of it."
Centre half Virgil van Dijk underwent surgery on his knee injury earlier this week and the club has said it was a success. The Dutchman will now start his rehabilitation hut he is expected to miss the majority of the rest of the season, if not all of it.
That had left just Joe Gomez as the only fit senior centre half the reigning Champions had at their disposal heading into the game against the Hammers. Youngster Rhys Williams is also in contention to start having replaced Fabinho in midweek.
Forward Mo Salah, who was seen limping at full time in midweek heading down the tunnel at Anfield, is expected to be fit for the West Ham game.
The Hammers have their own injury problems for this weekend with influential striker Michail Antonio ruled out of the trip to Merseyside with a hamstring injury.
David Moyes didn’t put a timeframe on the striker’s return though he is expected to be ruled out until at least after the international break.
Klopp said of the Hammers injury absentee: "Antonio has been sensational so far. They will miss him.
"Haller played an incredible season at Frankfurt, good, quick, physical, brilliant in the air. They have options. Some smart business in the last 18 months. All starting to click."
Other than the frontman the Hammers manager should have a fully sit squad to choose from for the trip to Anfield. Said Benrahma is in contention to make his first appearance since making his loan move from Brentford having been deemed not match fit enough to feature against Man City.
