Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has plenty of injury issues too, particularly in the central-defensive region, though Dejan Lovren has trained fully after a knock to increase Klopp’s own options in that region.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, pundit and club legend Carragher says he is impressed by the deals, and adds that the fact there is no definite first-choice striker will promote healthy competition. There are a lot of games to play.
He accepted that there are “different ways” to “be successful” and said that they can not use injuries or a defeat as an excuse, rather that they “have to take the situation like it is” and “you have to use it” as a lesson to be learned.
Milner has a bruised heel but Klopp has determined it is “possible” the versatile 30-year-old features while Sturridge, who may train with the main group on Friday, is troubled by a hip injury and is considered behind others in his pre-season fitness work. “If we defend deep, we can not change it”, Klopp continued, declaring they must “have a solution” if their rivals “only play counter-attack” or if they “play high pressure”.
Arsenal ended up without a trophy last season as they finished in second place in the Premier League table.
The arrival of Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Chelsea’s Antonio Conte, both hugely successful on the continent, has ramped up the excitement ahead of a term where Jose Mourinho will also hold the reins at Manchester United. It’s one part of the performance but not more. It’s not that they have to play with this team the whole season or we have to play this team season – then we could talk about advantages or not. “That’s what I’m looking forward to – the opportunity to win something”. I think there’s a lot more to discuss that are more interesting than the captain’s armband.
He acknowledged that there were also “a little bit less wonderful signs” and noted “the last game” in which they were comprehensively beaten by Mainz, but said that this is “the most easy to explain”.
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‘Without the captain on the pitch – I know he will be around in the dressing room – but without him on the pitch we are all going to need to step up as individuals and as a team, ‘ he said. We could test it each day, but in this moment I’m not sure when we should test it.
