Liverpool are set to be without club captain Jordan Henderson for a fourth match on the hop when they visit Manchester City next weekend with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp admitting that the 26-year old is still struggling to recover from the foot injury he picked up last month.
“No chance. The [international] break, these two weeks, hopefully – it’s what we hope – can bring him back, but there’s no game possible in this time,” said the German manager, speaking to the press after steering his side to a narrow 2-1 win over Burnley FC at Anfield on Sunday. “That’s how it is. He cannot train, he for sure cannot play against City and it makes sense that he is doing the rehab,” added Klopp bluntly. “Hopefully he can run in the second week of the international break and then we have to see.”
The Reds kept their hopes of a securing Champions League football for next season alive, following up their win over Arsenal last weekend to claim their first back to back Premier League victory of the season as they eased the Clarets off to one side. Two goals from the midfield might give the illusion that all is well in the engine room, but neither goal scorer in Georginio Wijnaldum or Emre Can put in particularly convincing performances against Sean Dyche’s side and will have to up their games when they visit Manchester on Sunday.
Henderson, who has become a crucial cog in Klopp’s midfield machine, could be on the cards for a return when Liverpool host cross-town rivals Everton on the first of April with the international break handing the Reds a two week break from action. By that time, the German will also be hoping to have both Roberto Firmino and Dejan Lovren, who both missed the meeting with the Clarets, and Daniel Sturridge, is carrying yet another knock, available again as they look to close out the season strong.
