The injury crisis in Liverpool has worsened with news that Rhys Williams has been banned from the English U21 squad as a precaution with a hip injury while striker Mohamed Salah has tested positive for coronavirus again.
Manager Jürgen Klopp will have to do without two members of his first choice for the foreseeable future. Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out with knee injuries, while Fabinho, who played in central defense, is also out.
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First-choice full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson are also in doubt about a clash with Leicester on Sunday and Klopp may also be without Williams.
“He had a very small stiff hip,” said Aidy Boothroyd, England U21 manager, of the 19-year-old. “It was in his best interests to bring him back to Liverpool.
“For all players, our medical staff is in contact with the club whenever potential injuries or problems arise.
“Rhys wasn’t actually on the bench so I thought the best thing would be to bring him back to Liverpool.”
Salah tested positive for coronavirus on international service with Egypt on Friday and passed another positive test on Wednesday.
Williams has made five appearances for Liverpool this season and so far has played in all three group stage matches of the Champions League.
With so much important absenteeism in defense, he could have been lining up for his first Premier League appearance on Sunday but that is now doubtful.
Van Dijk was injured after a clash with Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during the last Merseyside derby, while Fabinho was sent off after 30 minutes of Liverpool’s 1-0 win at Ajax. Gomez sustained a knee injury while training with England.
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