Liverpool team news: Henderson starts at centre-back with Van Dijk ill as Klopp names second-string XI to face Monterrey

JORDAN HENDERSON looks set to start at centre-back as Jurgen Klopp named a second-string side for their Club World Cup semi-final with Monterrey.

Virgil van Dijk is not in the squad due to illness while Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are both not fit for the matchday squad.

It means skipper Henderson is on course to partner Joe Gomez at the heart of the defence.

Utility man James Milner is at right-back as he makes his 200th Liverpool appearance with regular left-back Andy Robertson completing the back four in front of Alisson.

Adam Lallana, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain complete the midfield three.

And the front line is made up of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Mohamed Salah with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino on the bench.

Klopp has surprisingly named goalkeepers Adrian and Andy Lonergan among the subs alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams.

But it was the surprise selection of Henderson seemingly starting in defence that caused the biggest stir in the absence of three of the four regular centre-halves unavailable.

The Reds' kids were thumped 5-0 by Aston Villa on Tuesday night as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Liverpool's focus this week will be on becoming world champions for the first time to add to their Champions League glory last season.

Victory against Monterrey would set up a final with Flamengo on Saturday before attention returns to the Premier League and the clash with second-placed Leicester on Boxing Day.