Liverpool duo Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren picked up “bad” injuries during their 1-0 League Cup first leg win over Stoke City on Tuesday, according to reports from Sky Sports.
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The former Borussia Dortmund boss added that defender Kolo Toure had only suffered cramp against Stoke, but that would still rule him out of third-round tie at Exeter.
While Klopp was unsure how long Liverpool could expect to be without Coutinho and Lovren, he confirmed Toure suspected his issue was cramp.
“Phil is more serious than Dejan, (who is more serious) than Kolo but none of these three will be available for tomorrow (Friday)”, the German coach said.
Kolo Touré also appeared to be clutching his hamstring in the late stages of the game but the manager is confident that the Ivorian’s problem was merely a knock. Dejan will be available after Man United.
“Phil needs one, maybe two weeks longer, so three weeks”.
Liverpool had already recalled youngsters Ryan Kent and Sheyi Ojo in response to the growing injury crisis, and both are in contention to start in the FA Cup against Exeter City.
“The truth is of course that we have to react”, he said. We will speak about this next summer, in my opinion best talents should be at your own club and play together in the U21s as a team.
“Not only to take new players, because it’s hard to find players, but quality players [who] have to be in a hard situation at their clubs or whatever, to find the ideal solution”. The manager was coy on which players he will have available for Exeter, although a congested fixture list will likely necessitate changes. “Our eyes are open and we are watching the market”.
Klopp will blood a young team St James Park with the likes of Connor Randall, Cameron Brannagan, Brad Smith, Joao Teixiera all likely to feature.
“I am not too sure at this moment [whether any more will be brought back] but it is possible”.
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“We knew we needed to respond at Stoke with a good performance first and foremost, with a performance that was full of commitment and desire, and we certainly got that”, Allen told the British media.
