Jurgen Klopp says Fabinho has not suffered a long-term injury but has ruled the Brazilian out of Liverpool's match against West Ham on Saturday

 

Fabinho was substituted in the first half of Tuesday's 2-0 win over Midtjylland in the Champions League with a suspected hamstring injury.

The 27-year-old was withdrawn from Brazil's squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers on Thursday but Klopp is hopeful he has avoided a long-term injury and should be back after the international break.

The 27-year-old was withdrawn from Brazil's squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers on Thursday but Klopp is hopeful he has avoided a long-term injury and should be back after the international break.

"Fabinho is not in, that is clear. He has a little injury. He will be out for the weekend and probably slightly longer," said Klopp.

Fabinho's absence could leave Liverpool with just one recognised senior centre-back, Joe Gomez, available for this weekend's match at Anfield.

Virgil van Dijk is expected to miss the majority of the season after undergoing knee surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered against Everton in the Merseyside derby, while Joel Matip has not featured since the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park after having a scan on a muscle problem.

Rhys Williams replaced Fabinho against Midtjylland and could make his Premier League debut against West Ham, while Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips are other options in central defence.