Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Dejan Lovren can return for Friday night’s clash with Chelsea, but Emre Can isn’t fit to feature.
The Croatian missed last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Leicester City after suffering an eye injury in training, but the swelling has gone down throughout the week.
Lovren has now returned to first-team training, and while he was joined by the likes of Emre Can and Mamadou Sakho, Klopp has confirmed only Lovren will be considered for selection against Chelsea.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday afternoon, Klopp stressed that though Can was back following an ankle injury, he “needs to train” before returning to action.
“The players who were involved in the last game are all ready again, plus Dejan,” he explained.
“Not the others, for example Emre. Emre isn’t injured anymore, but now he needs to train.
“He had a difficult pre-season, came [back] later than most, little injury here, little problem there.
“He’s still a wonderful player, but now we have to make him fit. That’s what we have to do with him, Mama and Joe [Gomez].”
That Klopp is able to take his time reintegrating the likes of Can, Sakho and Gomez is a testament to the quality throughout his squad, as seen against Leicester on Saturday evening.
Jordan Henderson has been operating in Can’s role throughout his absence, and has progressed swiftly, while Lovren has looked to foster a strong partnership with Joel Matip as Klopp’s new first-choice centre-back pairing.
With Lovren likely slotting back into Klopp’s defensive line at Stamford Bridge, the German’s starting lineup could also be set for alterations in attack.
Philippe Coutinho was left on the substitutes’ bench at Anfield following his late return from international duty with Brazil, but is now fit to start once again.
The 24-year-old could come in for Daniel Sturridge, for example, though with the striker in fine form against the Foxes, Klopp may opt to stick with the same forward setup.
Klopp’s only other absentee at this stage is Sheyi Ojo, with the winger suffering from a back injury that has kept him out all season so far.
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