Liverpool vs Genk: Youngster called up to help Klopp’s injury crisis

Liverpool face off with Genk in the Champions League group stage tomorrow and Jurgen Klopp has called up a youngster to help with defensive injury troubles.

Liverpool are hoping to grab a crucial away win in the Champions League tomorrow evening as they face Genk in Belgium. But with a fresh injury or two to first team players, they may need the help of teenager Neco Williams to do just that.

The 18-year-old has been called up to train with the first team ahead of tomorrow’s clash after Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip both sat out training today according to the Liverpool ECHO.

Jack Lusby of This Is Anfield notes the youngster being involved as Jurgen Klopp is down to just four first team defenders for the training session, prompting Williams’ inclusion.

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If there are no improvements for Alexander-Arnold or Matip and no further injuries we would expect the back four to be Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren with Joe Gomez at right back.

With talk of James Milner being included in a rotated midfield there would be no cover for the back four on the bench.

Neco Williams has had a decent year in the Under-18’s; racking up three goals and two assists for the Academy side.

Although he is behind Ki-Jana Hoever in Klopp’s pecking order the Dutch defender just left to join the Netherlands squad in the Under-17’s World Cup in Brazil. Nathaniel Clyne is ruled out until the new year with a knee injury leading to Williams getting his opportunity.

I would be surprised to see him on the bench unless somebody else picks up an injury and he will likely be included in the Under-19’s squad who will play against Genk earlier in the day alongside Rhian Brewster and Harvey Elliott who are also training with the first team.

If the defensive ranks continue to be spread thin over the next month or so, we could see Liverpool entering the transfer market for a defender in the January transfer window.