Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Nathaniel Clyne is a major doubt for the start of the new Premier League campaign.

The Liverpool right-back has been hampered by hamstring and back problems during pre-season and hasn't featured since playing in the second half of the opening friendly win at Tranmere Rovers more than two weeks ago.

Clyne won't be involved in this week's Audi Cup in Munich and hopes are fading that he will be fit for the trip to Watford on August 12.

The hamstring issue has now cleared up but pain in his back is a continued source of concern.

As a result teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold could find himself making only his third top-flight start at Vicarage Road on the opening weekend.

The Academy graduate was left out of the squad for Saturday's 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin with Jurgen Klopp determined not to place excessive demands on the youngster.

Alexander-Arnold had featured in all of the other warm-up matches and the manager decided he would benefit from staying behind at the club's training base in Bavaria.

Clyne's continued absence is a blow for the Reds. The England international rarely spends time on the treatment table and has clocked up 93 appearances for the club over the past two seasons.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Klopp does have other options at right-back. Joe Gomez impressed there against Hertha and Jon Flanagan will also hope to stake a claim over the coming days but Alexander-Arnold is the favourite to get the nod.

The 18-year-old from West Derby enjoyed a breakthrough year last term as he clocked up a dozen senior outings and was recently rewarded with a new five-year deal.

James Milner should be available for the Watford clash after he returning to full training ahead of schedule in Rottach-Egern on Sunday.

The vice-captain had been working away from the main squad with the club's rehab staff since hurting his thigh in Hong Kong.

Tuesday's Audi Cup showdown with Bayern Munich will represent another chance for new £10million left-back Andy Robertson to shine.

Divock Origi and Dejan Lovren could come back into contention. It was a precautionary measure to leave them out of Saturday's game after they complained of cramp.

Liverpool flew to Munich straight after their win over Hertha and returned to their base around an hour outside the city.

Sunday was largely a rest and recovery day with Klopp overseeing just a single light session.