Liverpool youngster Rhys Williams has been handed a boost.
The central defender has made two appearances in the Champions League but is yet to make his Premier League debut.
That will probably change on Saturday night thanks to the injury crisis that’s currently ripping through Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
While there is some good news on the horizon, it doesn’t relate to the Reds’ central defensive options. Joel Matip looks like he’ll miss another game – making that nine out of the last 11 matches that Matip has been unavailable for.
Klopp doesn’t expect the former Schalke man to be declared fit for the Hammers game, said the Echo, and we can safely assume that Rhys Williams will play.
After playing against Lincoln City and Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, the former Kidderminster loanee helped Liverpool keep a clean sheet against Ajax and Midtjylland.
West Ham have made a good start to the season, much of which has been predicated on the back of Michail Antonio’s superb form. The forward picked up a hamstring injury in the Hammers’ 1-1 draw against Manchester City and will miss the Liverpool game, said talkSPORT.
Since the Premier League returned in June, Antonio has scored 13 goals in 11 games and helped to transform West Ham from relegation candidates to one of the form sides in 2020/2021.
He’s scored three goals in six games this season and has led the line with pace, intelligence and composure. Antonio has given experienced top flight defenders serious issues this campaign, and Williams can sleep a little easier with the knowledge that the 30-year-old won’t be involved on Saturday.
The rest of Klopp’s selection is going to be interesting. He rested the entire front three on Tuesday and we can expect to see them start this weekend – although Diogo Jota and Xherdan Shaqiri made compelling argument for their inclusion.