Nat Philips undergoes surgery on ankle injury

With Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren on the sidelines and Joel Matip only just returning to training, Liverpool have been short of defensive cover.

During pre-season, Nat Philips was used at centre-back as cover for those who were absent, and many have called for the youngster to be given another chance in the first-team.

However, Liverpool Under-23s manager Neil Critchley has revealed that the 21-year-old is not available for selection due to an ankle injury.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Philips will now be out until March or April as he rehabs the injured ankle, so the chances of seeing him in first-team action this season look very, very small.

With Matip only just coming back to training and with Gomez and Lovren ruled out, Fabinho could be selected to start at centre-back when Liverpool travel to the AMEX Stadium to face Brighton on Saturday.