Liverpool vs Bayern Munich: Fabinho and Joel Matip to start in defence with Virgil van Dijk suspended and Dejan Lovren injured

Jurgen Klopp has decided to start Fabinho alongside Joel Matip in central defence against Bayern Munich with Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren both out.

The Reds host their German opponents in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday evening, and Klopp is being forced to field a makeshift backline.

Virgil van Dijk is suspended for the match having been booked in Liverpool’s final group stage match, while Klopp has accepted Dejan Lovren will not pass a fitness test ahead of the clash.

With Joe Gomez, Van Dijk’s regular partner at centre-half, also sidelined as he continues his recovery from a broken leg suffered in December, The Times claim Klopp will drop Fabinho into the backline on Tuesday evening.

The Brazil midfielder will reportedly be partnered in the centre of defence by Joel Matip, the only remaining fit centre-half Klopp can call upon.

This will not be the first time Fabinho – who began his career at right-back before establishing himself as a holding midfielder – has been forced to play in defence since joining Liverpool from Monaco last summer.

He started and played the full 90 minutes of last month’s FA Cup third round defeat by Wolves in the position, and also impressed as a centre-back in a recent 1-0 win over Brighton.