Liverpool have a major defensive crisis for Man CIty clash, their fans are seriously worried

Liverpool fans are fearing the worst after hearing news of their expected defence against champions Manchester CIty on Sunday.

Both Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been ruled out of the clash at Anfield and the Reds have been dealt a further blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate missed training on Friday with a muscle problem.

The Athletic say it's a minor issue for the former RB Leipzig man but given he only recently returned from a two-month lay-off, Liverpool will not take the risk.

If Konate is out, it's said Joe Gomez will likely partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the backline.

Nat Phillips is another less appealing option in central defence, while summer signing Calvin Ramsay is still waiting for his Liverpool debut.

Fabinho has also filled in at centre-back on occasion for Jurgen Klopp's side but with Gomez the leading candidate, it means James Milner may be deputising at right-back.

The 36-year-old did just that in this very fixture last season but was ran ragged by Phil Foden and extremely fortunate to have not been sent off in the 2-2 draw.

And a whole host of Reds fans have expressed concerns over the state of their defence going into such a big game.

One wrote: "Rather play Nat Phillips at center back and keep Joe at right back tbh. Starting Milner is an automatic 5 nil defeat."

Another said: "If Milner starts at right-back we’ll lose 10-0".

A third added: "Rather start a youth player at right back than Milner I love the bloke but he’s not fast enough to do a decent job".

A fourth reacted: "If we play Milner at right back tomorrow after him nearly being sent off last year then I give up. We will be 5 down at half time".

A fifth commented: "I'd rather give an academy right back his debut tomorrow than start Milner".

Though Luis Diaz and Arthur Melo are also on the sidelines, Andy Robertson did return after five weeks out in the 7-1 thrashing of Rangers in midweek to give Liverpool a timely boost.

A dismal start to the domestic campaign has seen the Carabao and FA Cup winners in 11th place, 13 points behind next opponents City.