Liverpool’s injury woes may have subsided somewhat with the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho back in action, but heading into the second leg of their Europa League Round of 32 meeting with FC Augsburg at Anfield tomorrow, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp still has a laundry list of players that will unavailable to face the German side.
“We have a few things. Dejan was one day in training, now he’s ill, that’s not too good. Joe Allen is in a good way but not available, Adam Lallana is in a good way but not available for tomorrow,” said the Liverpool manager before moving on to the long term casualties. “Of course, Martin Skrtel is not available and Ingsy and [Joe] Gomez are not available. That’s clear,” he continued. “We have to look at who can play on Thursday then we have two other days to think about the Manchester City game.”
After the scoreless draw in Germany, Klopp was not only critical of his sides performance on the night, but he was also taken aback by the media playing down the threat that Augsburg posed. There are suggestions, once again, that Liverpool should be able to get by playing a weakened team against the Fuggerstädter, but there’s been no indication that the manager’s mindset has changed in the slightest.
“If you think about the second step before you make the first step, you will always fall down. So there’s no other chance,” said the Reds boss. “We have to be fully concentrated and give everything for this game. If we think, for example, to leave this player out then for sure he will be injured in a training session. So it’s not allowed,” he continued with a smile. “We have to be fully concentrated on this game and then go to the next one. That’s how we select the team. The only other thing we have to think about is who is available?”
