Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has indirectly hinted that 20-year-old defender Connor Randall may be given his Premier League debut as a starter in Sunday’s trip to Newcastle United.
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The former Borussia Dortmund manager had hinted before the League Cup clash against Southampton that Coutinho could be available for the tie. With the Premier League title race looking as wide open as ever, there’s been suggestions that the Merseysiders are now serious contenders – a theory that boss Jurgen Klopp isn’t keen to promote.
The Brazilian was expected to play in Wednesday’s game at Southampton but Klopp said the initial timescale for his return was “too optimistic”.
“Sometimes it happens like this and there is nothing to criticise – he has tried everything he can”.
“A great start, but if you make the mistakes defensively we did in the first half and with the top quality of Liverpool, then you can lose”.
Klopp is hardly going to say anything else. I think we see plenty of goal action here.
The German has transformed Liverpool in his two months at the club with victories at Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton – by an aggregate of 13-3 – underlining the new-found optimism under Klopp’s charge. “It’s possible we could play the same team again”.
“I have never had a problem with too much confidence”, he said.
“For him it’s better how we did it in the last two games, but it’s ideal to have him back as an option on the bench”.
As Newcastle return to St James’ Park – where they have won just once in their last seven league games – defender Mike Williamson will be absent after tweaking a hamstring in training shortly after being recalled from a loan at Wolves.
Liverpool’s purple patch has seen them close the gap to leaders Manchester City to six points, with Klopp revealing he has encouraged his players in order to rebuild their previously forlorn confidence. “We have to play football against them”.
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“I think it is completely normal with a player with along injury history”, he added. “There were some doubts about the heel, and it’s important we give him time”. “Klopp has spoken about the importance of Sturridge being able to play through pain, but he said the striker needed no convincing to start”. Three massive away wins in a row against tough opposition plus an uptick in form from so many players has had many fans feeling as hopefuly as they did during Liverpool’s winning streak in 2013-14.
