Liverpool have been dealt two major defensive blows with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip set for a couple of weeks on the sidelines with injuries, according to a report.
The two men were both named in Jurgen Klopp's starting XI for the weekend's Premier League loss to Arsenal, where the finger of blame was pointed at Alexander-Arnold for both of the Gunners' first-half goals.
The right-back was then the victim of a nasty-looking injury after Gabriel Martinelli caught his ankle with the follow-through from a cross, although he was able to see out the end of the first half after receiving treatment.
However, Klopp then introduced Joe Gomez into the fray as Alexander-Arnold was forced off the pitch at half time, and Matip was another casualty of the 3-2 loss at the Emirates Stadium.
The Cameroonian centre-back came off in the 69th minute of the encounter to be replaced by Ibrahima Konate, and according to The Athletic, the update on both players is not a positive one.
The report states that Matip has sustained a calf injury and will take two weeks to recover, and Alexander-Arnold is facing a similar period on the sidelines with his ankle problem.
As a result, the two defenders will be absent for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Rangers as well as Sunday's top-flight game with Premier League champions Manchester City at Anfield.
Fixtures with West Ham United and Nottingham Forest could also come too soon for Alexander-Arnold and Matip, and Liverpool will close a hectic October against Ajax and Leeds United on the 26th and 29th respectively.
With Matip sidelined, Konate is expected to feature in the heart of defence against Rangers and Man City alongside Virgil van Dijk, while Gomez is likely to deputise for Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds brought in Calvin Ramsay as cover for Alexander-Arnold in the summer transfer window, but the 19-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for Liverpool due to a troublesome back injury.
However, Ramsay was able to make the bench for last week's win over Rangers at Anfield and could be another option for Klopp when the Reds make the journey to Ibrox later this week.
Matip and Alexander-Arnold's injuries are the latest in a long line of recent blows for Liverpool, who have now lost attacker Luis Diaz until after the World Cup due to a knee injury the Colombia international sustained against Arsenal.
Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Arthur also take up spots in the treatment room, but the former has now returned to training as he battles back from a knee injury.
Robertson and Jones are both thought to be in with chances of making their comebacks against Rangers, but Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain will not be back for at least another couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, Arthur is facing up to four months out after undergoing surgery on a torn groin muscle, as Liverpool aim to guarantee at least a third-placed finish in Champions League Group A with victory over Rangers on Wednesday. body check tags ::
