Bilic is not surprised that Klopp will take charge of Liverpool days after undergoing surgery, praising the character of his opposite number and recalling a similar situation when he was coach of the Croatia Under-21s.
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He was meant to be in the hospital for a longer time but the German tactician discharged himself.
Jurgen Klopp is relishing the prospect of welcoming back Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho and Divock Origi for Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round replay at West Ham on Tuesday night.
“But I know Everyone in the club has a big interest to find a solution for us because it’s not what we want. we don’t want people to leave the stadium until the game finishes”, Klopp further said.
“I have a few holes in my body – hopefully the water stays in [the water bottle]!”
“I can’t say anything about the first [league] game against West Ham when I was not in charge but the second game we were really bad and that is the reason why they could win”.
“Sturridge was fit enough to be on bench on Saturday and was very impressive in Friday’s session”.
Smith is regarded as one of the Merseyside outfit’s most promising academy players to come through in years and many supporters were raving about the youngster’s performance on Tuesday evening.
“We have not decided on starting line up yet”, Klopp said in his pre-match press conference.
Klopp also denied having ever criticised the former Chelsea and Manchester City striker’s fitness following reports Sturridge has become disillusioned with life on Merseyside.
“We would have liked to, but the game had a different story with a few early changes”, Klopp said.
“Extra-time is possible so it is a little bit complicated with the changes and they can’t start all together because you know we will have to change three times because the whole game will be too much in this moment”.
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Cameron Brannagan would usually have started in a game like this but he’s been ruled out through injury so we could see Joao Teixeira alongside Kevin Stewart.
