Jurgen Klopp discussed his team’s injury problems as they approach a busy part of the season, and hinted that reinforcement might be needed in attack.
The Liverpool manager has refused to turn to his bench in the last couple of games, only using one substitute against Bournemouth and West Ham.
“If you look at our our bench yesterday it’s experienced in defence and not experienced in offence,” said Klopp
“If it stays like this we have open eyes for everything, but the player you want the other clubs don’t always want to give you.”
The manager gave updates on the current injuries affecting the team.
Emre Can missed Sunday’s game against West Ham and the manager explained it was an injury suffered in training last week.
“Emre was a challenge with Divock in training, knee on knee, both trained on for the rest of the training, Emre looked in more pain.
“I never heard of this ligament, but it’s a little bit damaged. It’s painful, not really more.”
Klopp explained that Can was a doubt for Wednesday’s game at Middlesbrough, but would be back against Everton next Monday night.
Dejan Lovren came off at half time in the game against West Ham, and though the Croatian wanted come back on for the second half, no risks were taken and he was replaced by Ragnar Klavan.
“It was cramp, he told me I want to play,” explained Klopp “But it’s not about what you want its about what is possible.”
No return was given for Lovren.
Klopp also explained that Marko Grujic has had a tendon injury, but is on the way back to fitness.
It’s an important part of the season where the games come thick and fast, but unfortunately for Liverpool the injuries are piling up.
There are four games left in December beginning on Wednesday against Middlesbrough.
This run of fixtures also includes a Merseyside derby, a home fixture against Stoke City, and an important game in the Premier League against fellow challengers Manchester City.
There are then seven games in total in January, and the two-legged League Cup semi-final against Southampton means the club will be playing twice a week most weeks.
Danny Ings is a long term absentee, while key player Philippe Coutinho is also out until the new year.
On top of this Daniel Sturridge remains out for an unconfirmed amount of time with a calf injury.
This adds extra pressure on the likes of Roberto Firmino, who’s looked tired in recent games, and a group of players in midfield who are asked to run hard and press intensely in each game.
If Klopp believes Klavan and Lucas can provide adequate cover in defence, then an attacker or midfielder might be on the radar come January.
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