Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the fitness of Dejan Lovren, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal.
The Reds welcome their top-four rivals to Anfield on Saturday evening, looking to push ahead in their challenge to secure Champions League football for next season.
Heading into the weekend just a point behind Arsene Wenger’s side, Liverpool can make a big stride in their efforts with a victory—though the Gunners still have a game in hand.
If Klopp is to lead his side to three points on Merseyside, he will require a much-improved performance than away to Leicester City on Monday night.
But his options on the pitch are likely to remain much the same, as he revealed at his press conference at Melwood on Friday.
“Jordan is too soon for sure, Dejan we will see,” he said of Henderson (foot) and Lovren (knee).
“[Lovren] trained yesterday, now we have to see how he reacts on this. If nobody tells me different, we have to make a decision.
“He was out for four weeks, training three days. I’m not sure about it.”
Both Henderson and Lovren missed out against the Foxes, and while the latter has since recovered from his knee problem, a starting role could come too soon.
This could see Joel Matip partnered by either Ragnar Klavan or Lucas Leiva, while Klopp’s selection is similarly limited in attack, with Sturridge still sidelined.
“Daniel was ill, really, really ill,” Klopp explained of his out-of-favour striker.
“Now he has a strain in the hip muscle, it happened in the rehab session. Not the biggest.
“He’ll be out of normal training for the next week. He can train, but not in team training.”
Sturridge’s absence means Roberto Firmino is set to lead the line again on Saturday, despite the Brazilian having only scored three times in his last 15 Premier League outings.
Divock Origi provides Klopp with another option, but the Belgian has also struggled for form this season.
Adam Bogdan (ACL), Ovie Ejaria (ankle) and Danny Ings (knee) are also out for Saturday.
Marko Grujic could come into consideration after recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.
Fan Comments