DORTMUND, GERMANY - Thursday, April 7, 2016: Liverpool's goal-scorer Divock Origi applauds the supporters as he is substituted against Borussia Dortmund during the UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match at Westfalenstadion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Divock Origi available as Klopp prepares to restore regulars vs. Everton

Jurgen Klopp looks set to recall Liverpool’s regulars to the starting XI as he prepares for his first Merseyside derby on Wednesday against Everton.

Klopp made 10 changes to his side for Sunday’s 2-1 win away to Bournemouth, and saw his young selection produce a strong performance at Dean Court.

The likes of Danny Ward, Connor Randall, Brad Smith and Kevin Stewart featured in that victory, with goals from Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge sealing the three points for the Reds.

Divock Origi came on from the substitutes’ bench on the south coast, but left the field at full-time with a back injury, while Kolo Toure was substituted in the second half, with Mamadou Sakho taking his place.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, Klopp provided an injury update, as he looks to welcome Origi back to full training.

“In the game against Bournemouth, it was a cramp with Kolo,” he said.

“Divock was only a little bit with the back, maybe from sitting on the bench! Not a real issue, he felt it a little bit in the game.

“We left him out of training yesterday, but only not to risk [him].

“Before Bournemouth, Martin Skrtel had a little groin problem. [Otherwise], nothing new.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 17, 2016: Liverpool's manager Jürgen Klopp after the 2-1 victory over Bournemouth during the FA Premier League match at Dean Court. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Origi could come in for Sturridge against Everton at Anfield, with Klopp looking to make changes once again as he keeps his squad fresh at the business end of the season.

“If somebody thought when they saw our lineup for Bournemouth that we didn’t want to win this game it would have been the biggest understanding in world history,” he continued.

“We only chose this lineup to win the game, and that’s what we did—and it’s the same for Everton.

“How much time you have to recover, that’s all it is.

Bournemouth was a very intensive game, and that’s why I said there would be no chance to win with the same lineup as [last Thursday’s 4-3 win at home to] Dortmund.

Bournemouth, I don’t know how many games they had less, and you need to respect this.

“We have a period in this moment where we can change.

“In all our moments in the past months when we had to give these boys [chances] we had a lot of faith in their qualities, so we felt good with this lineup before Bournemouth.

“Nobody will be rested because of Newcastle or Villarreal, but we have to find a lineup that gives us the best possibility to win.

“Hopefully, we have nine games to play – minimum eight – and it makes no sense to push 11 players through these games only because you think these are best players you have.

“We have to, in this late but decisive moment, make a decision. That’s what we did, and that’s what we’ll do against Everton too.”

Klopp is likely to name a more experienced side against Everton, with the likes of Sakho, Philippe Coutinho, James Milner and Adam Lallana to return, but it is clear that he will continue to chop and change for the rest of the season.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments