Klopp also confirmed that Academy graduate Jon Flanagan is closing in on a return after a nightmare 18-month battle with a knee injury. The 22-year-old right-back hasn’t played for the Reds since May 2014 but is expected back in full training next week.
The defensive ranks will also be bolstered over the coming weeks by Mamadou Sakho, who is continuing his rehabilitation following knee ligament damage.
“Flanno will come back in next week. Then we’ll have two full-backs left, two right. “We have four centre-backs when Mama is back. Kolo was the fourth because of his age but now he’s always available.
“In midfield we have Hendo back so that’s like a new option for us. “We didn’t use them until now. We have other offensive players and we have more strikers than others, so where is the space?
“In January I don’t know how many games we have, maybe every three days, so we have to be prepared.
Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Brom at Anfield will be their seventh game in the space of just 22 days. With the festive schedule to come, there will be little let-up.
Liverpool will play at least seven matches in January as they look to compete for a Champions League spot and battle it out in both domestic cup competitions. The Europa League will be back on the agenda in February.
However, with the club’s injury problems easing Klopp believes they have sufficient strength in depth to cope.
Daniel Sturridge may be sidelined but Philippe Coutinho made his comeback against Sion after a hamstring issue and there was a first start since August for captain Jordan Henderson.
“We wanted Hendo to start (against Sion). He was very positive. He could have done 90 but we took him out because of Sunday because of what could have happened in the last 10.
“Phil (Coutinho) came on and nearly injured himself controlling the ball and hitting himself in the face – now he knows how I felt my whole career ! (Hahaha) ! “Of course we could have left him on the bench but it was important to give him a few minutes. If you’re always afraid of injuries, you get them for sure.
Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Alberto Moreno will all return to the squad on Sunday after being rested for the trip to Switzerland. Jordon Ibe is also expected back after being sidelined by a virus.
The defensive ranks will also be bolstered over the coming weeks by Mamadou Sakho, who is continuing his rehabilitation following knee ligament damage.
“Flanno will come back in next week. Then we’ll have two full-backs left, two right. “We have four centre-backs when Mama is back. Kolo was the fourth because of his age but now he’s always available.
“In midfield we have Hendo back so that’s like a new option for us. “We didn’t use them until now. We have other offensive players and we have more strikers than others, so where is the space?
“In January I don’t know how many games we have, maybe every three days, so we have to be prepared.
Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Brom at Anfield will be their seventh game in the space of just 22 days. With the festive schedule to come, there will be little let-up.
Liverpool will play at least seven matches in January as they look to compete for a Champions League spot and battle it out in both domestic cup competitions. The Europa League will be back on the agenda in February.
However, with the club’s injury problems easing Klopp believes they have sufficient strength in depth to cope.
Daniel Sturridge may be sidelined but Philippe Coutinho made his comeback against Sion after a hamstring issue and there was a first start since August for captain Jordan Henderson.
“We wanted Hendo to start (against Sion). He was very positive. He could have done 90 but we took him out because of Sunday because of what could have happened in the last 10.
“Phil (Coutinho) came on and nearly injured himself controlling the ball and hitting himself in the face – now he knows how I felt my whole career ! (Hahaha) ! “Of course we could have left him on the bench but it was important to give him a few minutes. If you’re always afraid of injuries, you get them for sure.
Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen and Alberto Moreno will all return to the squad on Sunday after being rested for the trip to Switzerland. Jordon Ibe is also expected back after being sidelined by a virus.
