Without Van Dijk and Konaté who should be Liverpool's first-choice defenders?

With Liverpool getting off to such a good start to the new Premier League season, no one could have imagined that the group led by Jurgen Klopp would have to face certain complications so early in the season in terms of the team's starting line-up. The German tactician will not have captain Virgil van Dijk or Frenchman Ibrahima Konate available for this weekend, which means that the chances of having a stable central defensive unit are considerably reduced. 

Although it is true that this situation can be solved with the implementation of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip this matchday, the fact that these two players are not at their best means that Klopp will have to rethink his stall and choose his best option so as not to fail in his objective every weekend, which is none other than to get those three points that will keep them close to the top.

Of all the possibilities Klopp has in mind today, perhaps using Wataru Endo as one of the two centre-backs is the most viable and convincing option with just hours to go before kick-off against Aston Villa, a difficult task for the Japanese centre-back who has rarely been used in his secondary position, which is in defence.

Liverpool in obvious trouble

Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate may be a capable enough pair of defensive centre-backs, but it is clear from this situation that the Reds are in dire need of a high-quality deputy in the position. As good as they have been in the transfer market, bringing four quality midfielders to Merseyside, Klopp and his people are aware of a need that they have been unable to meet no matter how hard they have tried.