Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp were dealt a massive blow after Jordan Pickford's reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk saw the towering defender suffer ligament damage which will likely rule him out for the rest of the season.
Van Dijk underwent a successful surgery on Friday to repair the damage, Liverpool confirmed. “The Liverpool defender’s planned operation took place in London and was conducted successfully. ... Van Dijk will now immediately focus on the beginning of his rehabilitation with the support of the Reds' medical department. No timeframe has been placed on the Dutchman’s return to action.”
With Joel Matip sidelined yet again due to injury and emergency fill-in Fabinho also set to miss a few weeks, Klopp has just one senior center back to call on in Joe Gomez. The Reds take on West Ham on Saturday before a trip to free-scoring Atalanta in midweek Champions League action. After that is a trip to title rival Manchester City.
It's a daunting stretch of the schedule in which to face an injury crisis. Klopp will likely be forced to call upon an academy player in at least one of those games. While Nat Phillips has played for the senior team in cup action before, the 23-year-old failed to nail down a starting spot on loan in the 2. Bundesliga with Stuttgart last season and questions remain over whether he has the requisite quality.
Billy Koumetio, 17, shone in surprise preseason opportunities. While many at Liverpool have high hopes for the youngster's future, he is likely still too raw to throw straight into the deep end for the first team. Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, both center midfielders, have each filled in at the back in emergency situations and it would not be a shock to see one of the pair do so again.
The consensus, though, seems to be that Klopp will turn to 19-year old Rhys Williams. It has been a whirlwind 2020 for the Preston-born teenager, who has gone from sixth-tier action with Kidderminster Harriers FC to playing in the Champions League against Ajax and Midtjylland. Williams replaced Fabinho and played the final hour against the Danish side, acquitting himself well.
Klopp praised Williams after that showing, but the Reds' upcoming opponents present vastly different challenges. Williams will be under pressure to cope with the physicality of West Ham's Michail Antonio and the myriad attacking options of Atalanta and Manchester City. While a great opportunity for him to prove himself, it is far from an ideal scenario for Klopp.
Gomez and goalkeeper Alisson will have work hard to guide Williams through the challenging weeks ahead. There is no good time to face an injury crisis, but the current moment is especially inopportune. Matip and Fabinho can't return to action soon enough.
