urgen Klopp is hopeful over James Milner’s health after the Liverpool midfielder was compelled off throughout Thursday’s Carabao Cup thriller in opposition to Manchester City.
The vastly-experienced 36-year-old began at right-back for the last-16 tie at his former Etihad Stadium stomping floor, struggling at instances defensively but additionally laying on the help for Fabio Carvalho’s first-half equaliser in a breathless 3-2 defeat down the M62.
Nonetheless, Milner’s night was ended prematurely after solely 38 minutes on account of harm, with the ex-England worldwide making means for Nat Phillips earlier than the interval.
Klopp confirmed after the match that considered one of his most trusted lieutenants had felt a hamstring situation amid a frenetic tempo in each golf equipment’ first aggressive recreation again after the World Cup break, however didn’t imagine it was something critical at this stage.
“Millie felt something in the hamstring,” he informed Sky Sports activities. “We still hope it is not an injury, but we will see. He felt something, but after 30 years in the business he said, ‘I don’t think it’s a lot’ so we will see.”
Liverpool introduced Jordan Henderson off the bench in opposition to City, whose personal England World Cup stars in John Stones, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish additionally got here on after half-time, with Kyle Walker an unused substitute.
The one participant from Gareth Southgate’s Qatar contingent not concerned was Trent Alexander-Arnold, with Klopp revealing that he was affected by an sickness that had additionally been affecting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was match sufficient to come back on at half-time on the Etihad.
In the meantime, Virgil van Dijk skilled as anticipated at Kirkby on Thursday after coming back from a post-World Cup break and ought to be out there for the Premier League restart in opposition to Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
The identical can be true of goalkeeper Alisson, whose fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino missed the defeat at City with a calf situation sustained in coaching this week.
“We thought Trent was available but then he got ill, so that is what we have to wait for,” Klopp added.
“Virgil trained today [and] yesterday completely normal and should be ready for Monday, but we have to see who gets the virus until then.”
Addressing Firmino’s absence forward of the sport, Klopp stated: “We play mainly with the players who could do all the sessions now and had a break – apart from Bobby, who unfortunately got injured two days ago in training.
“Not a big one but big enough for this period. That’s why Darwin [Nunez] is now starting. He could’ve started anyway but Darwin is starting now.”
Liverpool are already with out Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Arthur Melo on account of harm, with Curtis Jones anticipated again to health quickly.
