The young centre back may see some action over the next few weeks
Considering the intensive nature of Jurgen Klopp’s demands on his players on a normal day, the Christmas period will not only be something that the manager has never experienced before but will place ever more demand on his players physically.
But the Liverpool manager believes things are no different for any other team and is keen to ensure that his players make the most of the intense run of games.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, the Liverpool manager said: “I’m the first to force the players [to work] or to help them not getting fatigue in the periods between the games because first of all you get tired in the mind then the body starts thinking the same.
“It’s intensive, we cannot ignore this. It’s the most intensive time in the year after an intensive time, so we are not on holiday for sure.
“But it’s the same situation for nearly all the teams – we have two [cup] games more but that’s how it is. We wanted to go to the semi-final of the Capital One Cup and now we are in it, now we want to go to the final of course, and that’s what we have to deal with.
“It’s a situation and we have to be prepared for all these games, that’s our job. It’s not that you can just say, ‘come on, boys!’ – that’s what we say and that’s what we expect but it’s really intensive.
“You want to show everybody that you want to make the best of it.”
Following the recent run of games, which have been unusually easy for this time of year, the Reds will engage in a run of 4 games in 12 days, including the FA Cup third round, the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi final and two tough Premier League games.
After the visit to Anfield of Arsenal on the 13th January, Liverpool will have a four day break before the visit of Manchester United. In January alone, Liverpool face the prospect of 7 games and Klopp will want all of his players to play some part.
With a number of youngsters, namely Ryan Kent and Tiago Ilori, having been recalled from loan the German is filling his squad out following an unusually high number of injuries since he joined the club.
Whatever happens over the next few weeks, it will be an interesting time for Reds fans, particularly with a number of highly-rated youngsters likely to see some first team action.
