Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp facing defensive headache ahead of Premier League opener

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are the Reds' only fit central defenders

Liverpool are facing potential defensive problems ahead of their Premier League opener against West Ham this weekend.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are Jurgen Klopp's only fit central defenders with a wave of injuries hitting the Reds backline.

Joel Matip (hip) and Ragnar Klavan (hamstring) both missed Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Italian side Napoli due to injuries and are doubtful for Liverpool's final pre-season match against Torino on Tuesday.

"Joel, we'll have to see. Klavan, shouldn't be too serious, but if Tuesday is too early I don't know yet," Klopp told the Liverpool Echo. "Maybe we will do some magic things with the formation on Tuesday. I don't know how we will do it."

Croatia international Dejan Lovren will rejoin the squad on Monday after an extended break following the World Cup but is a doubt for the next two games as he attempts to get back up to speed.

"Dejan didn't train so far. He probably won't play Tuesday and Sunday will be very difficult as well," Klopp added. "The first two league games at least are in the 'pre-season' (for the World Cup players)."

Klopp has spent heavily this summer bringing in £170m worth of talent after Liverpool finished fourth last season and were defeated finalists in the Champions League.

But despite such an outlay Klopp believes catching Premier League champions Manchester City will still be a challenge.

Klopp may have to shuffle his pack against west Ham (AFP/Getty Images)

"The league will be difficult," Klopp said. "It is not about judging our situation and thinking 'wow, really good'.

"We need to be ready each week, not only for a few games. That is our challenge."

Reuters