Liverpool will work around the absence of the suspended Emre Can against Newcastle United, says Jurgen Klopp, despite the midfielder’s improving form.
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However, Klopp admitted at his pre-match press conference this afternoon that the club had been “too optimistic” about the 23-year-old’s fitness. Coutinho continues to be troubled by the injury and is unlikely to be risked at St James’ Park. “Sometimes it happens like this and there is nothing to criticise – he has tried everything he can. Good for him and good for us”, Klopp said. But if they think we should win easily, then I don#t care.
“He trained almost normally but he doesn’t feel comfortable”.
“He’s not available for the next game but it should not be the biggest problem-we have other quality players”. If somebody tells me he’s available for the next game, then he plays, no problem. “Yesterday nobody gave me this sign, so we will have to wait [and see] today”.
Liverpool, whose struggle for goals had become seemingly endemic at the tail-end of Brendan Rodgers’s reign, have found the net 14 times in their last four away matches.
Klopp’s side have won seven of their last eight fixtures in all competitions and will be looking to pile further misery on second bottom Newcastle United. “Obviously he did well in the last game and the plan before the game was to play about 55-60 minutes so that is what we did”.
“To be prepared for a game, you have to know as much as you can about the situation”.
“Of course, he felt each muscle after the game and that’s normal because it was intensive”. There were some doubts about the heel [injury] and so on, but he feels good, really good.
At the time, I argued this was wishful thinking in the extreme, and after missing three games in a row, Klopp has confirmed Coutinho’s injury is more serious than he initially thought.
“Hendo is a good example of why players must be handled differently. Hendo is a worker, he needs to be absolutely fit and that is the difference”, added Klopp.
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Leiva said: “If you look back probably a few months ago, and especially against Southampton in the home game we played a few weeks ago, we conceded a goal late and we didn’t have the energy to get back [into it] and the belief to score another goal”. If you travel to Newcastle, you have to get as many points as you can.
