Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has introduced a new set of rules for his players, when they are representing their country on international duty.
According to Paul Joyce of the Express, “Klopp now insists all his players text or WhatsApp him after international games on how they feel as well as Liverpool’s medical staff.”
It seems a very shrewd move by the 49-year-old, in terms of monitoring his squad far more closely, and avoiding crossed wires with their national sides.
This news comes after Klopp confirmed he spoke to Sadio Mane on Sunday, in order to get a clearer picture of the 24-year-old’s injury status.
The speedy wide man had been substituted early in Senegal’s 2-0 victory against Namibia on Saturday, raising fears about his involvement in this weekend’s clash with Leicester City with Anfield.
Mane confirmed that there were no fitness issues, pleasingly, and he is set to be fit for Liverpool’s return to a new-look Anfield.
Klopp has also confirmed that arrangements are in place to fly Philippe Coutinho back home early on Thursday, having featured for Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
“For Coutinho, he is coming back Thursday morning at 9am and only because we make a few special arrangements with flights,” he said.
“Otherwise he would come on Thursday night, so nobody wants this.”
This will give the 24-year-old time to recover for Saturday’s game, which is of huge importance after an inconsistent start to the season.
Emre Can is struggling to prove his fitness for the clash with the champions, with a foot injury picked up with Germany keeping him out of training for the early part of this week.
Ragnar Klavan is available, though, having missed the 1-1 draw at Tottenham with a knee problem.
It will be a huge relief to see the Premier League return this weekend, with the international break largely seen as a burden to supporters.
The next break comes on the weekend of October 8, so we need to make the most of the domestic action while we can.
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