Ahead of the home game against Burnley FC, Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp gave a detailed personnel update – and warned against the promoted side
If Jürgen Klopp hadn’t already been annoyed by the question about the possible introduction of the blue card, he would have been annoyed by the question about Thiago. The former Bayern midfielder is simply not getting back on his feet, dragging himself from one injury to the next.
Klopp described the situation surrounding the 32-year-old Spaniard as “obviously not cool”. The LFC coach then went into more detail: “Everything looked fantastic in training, but then it happened. It’s a muscular story, the extent of which we don’t yet know. It’s not good news for him or for the club.” Klopp has ruled out a premature end to the season for the fine technician.
He made no secret of the fact that the sensitive 56-year-old suffers with Thiago: “It’s not a big, serious injury, definitely not. But it’s something that nobody needs.” Klopp also had to give ex-Leipzig player Dominik Szoboszlai the thumbs down, saying the Hungarian was “not ready” for the Burnley game on Saturday due to renewed tendon problems.
Meanwhile, there was good news from Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian, who returned early from the Africa Cup, has already recovered quite well from his thigh injury. “He’s making good progress and we’re hopeful, but we don’t know if he’ll be able to take part in training again next week,” said Klopp, who added: “He’s taking his first steps now, which is positive. A start will be possible next week or the week after. If you ask him, it will be next week. “
Kompany: “Anything can always happen in soccer “
Klopp has a direct returnee in former Stuttgart captain Wataru Endo, who is available for the home game on Saturday. But even with the Japanese player, Liverpool’s coach is expecting a difficult task against the league’s penultimate team, which should not be underestimated. “Vincent Kompany has learned so many important things after being so successful in the Championship last year and then suffering setback after setback this season,” he explained to his fellow coach.
There are reasons why Burnley “never lose big”. Kompany, who will be without ex-Gladbach player Louis Jordan Beyer (thigh injury) among others, announced himself on Friday: “Anything can happen in soccer. When you play at Anfield, you have to do everything right. And still a few other things have to go right for you.” However, both coaches clearly do not see the league newcomers as being without a chance
