Liverpool: Good news and bad news for Reds manager Jurgen Klopp
Another rest called for another trip out of Merseyside for the Reds. The rest Klopp and his men granted themselves was thanks to them exiting the FA Cup.
Thereafter, the Anfield side goes from zero to one hundred just after the weekend coming. A Champions League tie on Tuesday, followed by a weekend clash between them and their old school adversaries, Manchester United.
It will be the most testing week to date. A failure to United’s steadfast neighbours, Man City and a couple of stutters on the way to Leicester City and West Ham, has left with them no reservations for faults. At Anfield when Liverpool took on Bournemouth, Liverpool came out asserted and had one thing on the mind, a victory by a big margin.
They did just that, yet the day after in Super Sunday action, their title rivals answered back with double and not nothing. Pep’s men basically told Klopp’s men…
“What you can do, we can do better!”
The Reds will need everybody in for next week
Sadly and worryingly, the Reds face a race to see if they will have a fit first team. The part of the lineup affected profoundly by this is the Reds backline.
For multiple matches, the Reds gaffer had to find ways to cope without the likes of Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dejan Lovren and wistfully, the list continues.
It has seen Klopp use makeshift fullbacks and centre backs in the absence of these important men. Now the problems can only get worse for the German. Approaching this week, a week of immense fixtures, Klopp will only know by the weekend if he will have Lovren ready and 60% fit for the Champions League tie, the first hurdle in the big season challenge.
Gomez has already been out for an extended run after needing surgery to help him on his way back to recover. What has been a few weeks has turned into a few months. Klopp has his team training as if they will be without Lovren come next Tuesday. Prepping for the worst to happen? Best and only option.
Klopp on Joe Gomez;
"“Joe’s surgery went pretty well. The timescale is always difficult but it’s four to six weeks for a return to play. Hopefully that’s the case. We work on that.”"
Yeah! No Virgil van Dijk, already missing the general in the backline. No Lovren? a big miss even though he isn’t the first choice. All the weight of Anfield on Joel Matip’s shoulders? Oh dear! One part of the pitch really threatening and causes Jurgen Klopp too much to think about it in no time to spare.
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Yet, there is some joy in the sorrowful mystery
Having seen Trent on the pitch in last week’s win over the Cherries was met with relief. He is a major asset to Liverpool and will be needed in this time of crisis. Another boost is the Reds has Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back in full training, nearing his return to action with the Reds.
Saying he will be back by the Munich game is a bit premature but who knows, Klopp will use him for a 20-minute stint if he’s fit enough.