Liverpool Grow Stronger with Return of Jürgen Klopp’s Long-Injured Players

Lovren, Gomez and soon Oxlade-Chamberlain. Lovren, Gomez and soon Oxlade-Chamberlain. Lovren, Gomez and soon Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Liverpool squad is in great shape moving through the final stages of the season. Jürgen Klopp’s big players are all fighting fit and, just as things are heating up in the league and in Europe, Melwood’s rehab denizens are returning to the fold.

Dejan Lovren has already been getting minutes after his unfortunate spell on the sidelines but he missed out against FC Porto because he was unwell. With the Croatian’s availability, the manager would be looking at a full compliment of players to choose from against Cardiff City on Sunday.

“Dejan was ill so he should be available again, we will see that,” said Klopp.

“Pretty much all the rest should be available, I heard nothing after the Porto game. Always after games a few players have slight, little problems but nothing really serious – so it should be OK, should be all in.”

Working his way back to full strength is Joe Gomez who has been on the mend after going out with a fractured leg in December. Klopp took advantage of an opportunity to get Gomez some minutes on the pitch when in Portugal. Liverpool were up 2-0 thanks to Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah and the manager sent Gomez on to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold.

It was a solid run-out for the player that either leads to a start at centre-back soon or another substitute appearance first or maybe Gomez fills the honorary Joël Matip protect the lead, third centre-back sub spot for a few games.

“Joe looked good. Joe played 60 minutes during the week [for the U23s] and now 20 roundabout. It looks good,” said Klopp.

“If he will start [against Cardiff], we will see; we have a lot of players with a lot of rhythm, which is good, but it’s good to have him. It’s very important.

“It’s the same for Ox, it’s not about being ready and then you come in immediately, because as long as the other players show no drop in form in training, we came here [to this point] like this.

“But it’s very good to have them back and have them in contention.”

Cardiff next. Then the world.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com