Jurgen Klopp’s side has been ravaged by injuries.
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At the end the Olympic Stadium echoed to his name but they were chants of defiance in defeat.
Liverpool manager Klopp said of his team at the press conference today: “The team we put out will want to win 100% and go to next round but it will be a team who haven’t played too often together”.
“I am trying very hard to keep my emotions in check”, he told reporters.
“I have a feeling Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will field the same sort of team he has been doing in the Europa League, where quite a few younger players have been involved and done OK”.
“I said a few weeks ago you need a little bit of luck”.
Liverpool are hit with a number of injuries, and now have seven players out with hamstring injuries.
While Klopp has endured a rollercoaster time as manager of Liverpool thus far, the German has led the Reds to some notable victories against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
“When I’m managing a club, each young player should smile because the chance is bigger than it ever was. So we have to make changes, that’s all I can say because at this moment I don’t know who is available after training but of course we will make changes”.
There may also be a debut for defender Tiago Ilori, who was recalled from his loan spell with Aston Villa after failing to impress there. “Maybe the first game at Tottenham was more intensive than other games”.
In the circumstances, it was a mutually beneficial agreement.
Jordon Ibe has been ruled out of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Exeter City with a hamstring injury. There aren’t many players still in either side now, and the conditions will be different – this is January as opposed to September.
Despite putting themselves in a strong position to reach the Capital One Cup final and remaining in all four competitions, Liverpool’s form under Klopp has been inconsistent. It is a suggestion that causes Klopp’s near constant smile to disappear immediately.
“They are highly trained athletes now more than ever before and they become more susceptible to injury by the amount of work they do in a game now”.
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It would actually be hilarious, if only it weren’t for the fact we’re probably ripe for an FA Cup upset tomorrow and we play both Man United and Arsenal at Anfield in the next ten days.
