Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes that midfielder Emre Can is close to making his return to the starting line up for the Reds after taking time to regain full fitness since his sustaining an ankle injury.
The 22 year old has been a regular under Klopp since he became manager last October but as he didn’t take a full part in Liverpool’s tough preseason fitness programme, he has seen his place in the side being taken by Georginio Wijnaldum while captain Jordan Henderson has moved into his position in the single holding midfield player. Klopp confirmed in his pre match press conference for the EFL Cup tie against Derby County tonight that Can may well get some game time.
“Emre is in training and when he is in training he is available. I took him aside last week to do some specific work with him because he didn’t have a perfect pre-season. It is four weeks since Burton so he is available and now he can collect match time. How much? Will he start? No decision yet.”
Defender Mamadou Sakho is still however sidelined as while Klopp says the player is happy with his fitness, he is not. Sakho’s lack of game time since being suspended in April means Klopp will demand a lot more from him to prove his match readiness.
