After watching the kids crash out of the FA Cup against Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to make wholesale changes when Premier League pace-setters Chelsea visit Anfield tomorrow — though he could run in to one or two roadblocks putting out his preferred starting eleven.
“Lallana trained, Clyney no. Adam is fine for selection and with Clyney we have to see again,” said the German manager, confirming that Adam Lallana will be fit to return. “It’s difficult [with Clyne] – we would love to force it but we can’t so we have to wait. Yesterday, he made a running session with [Andreas] Kornmayer, so it’s about adapting more and more to the pain level he obviously has,” continued Klopp, casting doubt on whether or not the fullback will be able to feature. “If there’s a risk to make it worse then we cannot take the risk, because he’s already out for [what] feels like four weeks, maybe it was one or two. It’s already quite a period so we have to see.”
Should Clyne be unable to run out, youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold will likely be given the nod, but the question everyone is looking for an answer to is whether or not Sadio Mane will be back on Merseyside in time to play a part. The Reds hierarchy had a private plane waiting to pick up the winger after Senegal crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations, but a delay kept him from returning to England in a timely fashion.
“I don’t know exactly [if he will be involved],” mused Klopp. “We thought it would be possible yesterday, we had the plane there, but he was not allowed to go in the plane so we had to wait. Now it is all good and he will be here tonight at some point, then we will have to see,” added the Liverpool manager, refusing to rule out the possibility of him featuring at some point. “I spoke to him, it’s all good so far, but of course he will be in tomorrow morning and then we have to make a decision. In this moment, I have no idea – I have to look into his eyes and see whatever is possible with him and then make a decision.”
