Lallana, Milner and Klavan to miss West Brom Cup clash, says Klopp

Jürgen Klopp provided a mixed injury update in his pre-West Brom press conference on Friday, with the Reds looking to bounce back from a poor performance at Swansea by progressing in the FA Cup this weekend.

Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge were among the players to miss Liverpool’s loss to Swansea earlier this week.

Klopp has revealed that all of these players are in contention to return at Anfield on Saturday. Lovren has recovered from illness, whilst Alberto Moreno and Jordan Henderson are approaching match fitness as they recover from longer-term injuries.

WATCH: Jürgen Klopp’s pre-West Brom press conference in full

SEVILLE, SPAIN – Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Liverpool’s captain Jordan Henderson lines-up before the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Sevilla FC and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Daniel Sturridge, who continues to be lined with a loan move away from the club this month but is said to be stalling on a move to Inter Milan, may return to the squad.

However, Adam Lallana (muscle tear), James Milner (dead leg) and Ragnar Klavan (muscle) will all miss the FA Cup tie this weekend, Klopp has revealed.

“Adam Lallana, unfortunately, again has a little issue that I’m pretty sure keeps him out of the next game.

“It’s not a big one. It’s how it is when you have a long injury, and Adam had a long injury. A few things come. It needs time to adapt again to the intensity of a Premier League game.

“We tried to be careful with that but obviously so far it didn’t work really well.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, December 30, 2017: Liverpool’s James Milner and Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Millie got a dead leg in training; if Millie says it’s too painful for training then you can imagine how painful it is.

“So it’s very important that Hendo is back. We have only one more session, today, but it’s not that my thoughts are finished already about the line-up because it’s that time of the year.

“Last week I was sitting here talking about things and when I came in, three players were out with illness and I think, ‘woah, that’s not too cool!’ We have to wait a little bit. But it’s good that they are back.”

Klopp also confirmed that Simon Mignolet will start this match, with Loris Karius chosen to be the Reds’ number one goalkeeper in recent weeks, and confirmed that Danny Ward will play for the U23s this weekend.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, December 30, 2017: Liverpool’s goalkeeper Simon Mignolet celebrates his side’s 2-1 victory over Burnley during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Simon Mignolet will play. I really think all goalkeepers all need kind of rhythm. Danny Ward will play for the U23s, for example. They need training, but match time and playing time as well.

“They all have the opportunity to play and keep kind of a shape and especially a rhythm.

“In a situation when you need to change, then I have a goalkeeper who played a few games. You can only do that if you have quality goalkeepers and, in my opinion, we can do it, so that’s why we do it.”

Ragnar Klavan only just made the bench for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea on Monday, but despite having recovered, a muscle injury will now keep him out this weekend.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, October 28, 2017: Liverpool’s Ragnar Klavan during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Raggy is out, he was really ill. He lost a few kilos – unbelievable – and now a little, little muscle issue. It’s not too serious but he is not available for tomorrow.

“But, after illness, Dejan is back. It’s that time of the year.

“Clyney is on a good way but of course still not in team training. Alberto trained completely normally, Hendo trained normally. That’s all positive.”

Klopp has admitted that he has a lot to think about when it comes to team selection for this weekend, with the Reds due to play Huddersfield Town away from home just three days after their meeting with West Brom.

READ MORE: Academy Watch: Liverpool sign Tony Gallacher, U18s crash out of FA Youth Cup

WATFORD, ENGLAND – Saturday, August 12, 2017: Liverpool’s Alberto Moreno during the FA Premier League match between Watford and Liverpool at Vicarage Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The return of Henderson and Moreno has come at a good time, but Klopp says he will not be rushing them back into the frame if they’re not completely ready.

“With Hendo it was not the longest break, but it was a break. So we have to think about it, like we have to think about it with one or two other players.

“Alberto Moreno is back in training. So, what do we do? Robbo played really well, how everybody saw, but played a lot. It’s good that they are all coming back, we need them.

“We have a few options but not plenty. Saturday to Tuesday is nearly a normal rhythm. Players should be okay. Recovery has been okay. We will change one or two things.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com