Nathaniel Clyne is set to miss the start of Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.
Clyne has established himself as a first-team starter for the Reds since joining in 2015 and was a virtual league ever-present last season, missing just one game.
But he has not featured in any of Liverpool’s pre-season preparations since a second half outing in a friendly win over Tranmere Rovers earlier this month.
The England international now faces the prospect of being sidelined for the start of his third season with Jurgen Klopp’s side as they travel to Watford.
Klopp will not include Clyne in his plans for next week’s Audi Cup in hopes that the defender may have an outside chance of featuring in the August 12 opener.
A hamstring injury had prevented the 26-year-old from taking part in Liverpool’s recent warm-up games in the Far East and against Hertha Berlin.
However a back problem is now hampering Clyne and has currently left him facing a battle to be fit in time for the opening day trip to Vicarage Road.
Klopp will now weigh up whether to deploy Trent Alexander-Arnold or Joe Gomez in the right-back position against the Hornets in 13 days’ time.
Both players and fellow defender Jon Flanagan have played in the role although Alexander-Arnold is most likely to be entrusted by the Liverpool manager.
The homegrown youngster could also find himself picked for the forthcoming Champions League qualifier, set to take place just days after the Watford game.