Liverpool have no time to sit and reflect on their disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of West Bromwich Albion with the Reds set to square up with Huddersfield Town on Tuesday as the Premier League swings back in to full gear. The quick return to action might be the best thing for the side mentally, but the wear and tear of a packed fixture list means that there could be some enforced changes to the starting eleven tomorrow.
“I’m not sure in the moment, it’s really close,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when asked the fitness of the squad. “We have again a few knocks, different things, but nothing decided so far in this moment,” added the German manager, keeping his cards close to his chest. “It looks like all the players who were available for the last game are available again, but not 100 per cent.”
Coming off the back of a thrilling win over league leaders Manchester City, it’s been a pair of really poor performances from the Reds with the loss to bottom of the barrel Swansea City being compounded by the loss to the Baggies — who are ahead of the Jacks on goal difference alone — at Anfield.
The meeting with Terriers comes too soon for Adam Lallana, who is carrying a slight knock, and Ragnar Klavan, who has been sidelined through illness, but after returning to action against West Brom on Saturday, Reds captain Jordan Henderson could make his first start in over a month at the Kirklees Stadium.
“Very important,” enthused Klopp when asked about the role Henderson plays in the side. “We need all the boys and I think Hendo did well when he came on, like Millie did. They brought some fresh ideas, obviously confidence. They were not involved in the first 60-70 minutes so they showed up,” explained the gaffer. “Both had good moments in the game and were involved in a lot of good things, so [it’s] very important for us, of course.”
