Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has delivered an important update on the status of injured stars Dejan Lovren, Divock Origi and Adam Lallana.
The Reds boss refused to confirm if any of the players would feature against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, but he did confirm that Origi is due back next week as Lovren and Lallana continue to make progress.
“Dejan looks quite good, trained completely normal four times I think,” Klopp said at a press conference, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle. “Had a very intense period before that with fitness guys. He looks ready.
“Divock has an ankle [injury], will be back next week, not now. Adam has trained with the team, not full session. Not long.”
Klopp: Dejan looks quite good, trained completely normal four times I think. Had a very intense period before that with fitness guys. He looks ready. Divock has an ankle, will be back next week, not now. Adam has trained with the team, not full session. Not long. Solanke is fine
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) September 25, 2018
OPINION
This is all fairly encouraging for Liverpool supporters. Lovren, for all the criticism he receives, was terrific after Virgil van Dijk arrived in January, and continued his fine form with an excellent showing in Croatia’s run to this summer’s World Cup final in Russia. Having him back would be a big boost for the Reds, despite the phenomenal form of Joe Gomez in his stead. Origi seems unlikely to feature much in the first team picture this season, as his path to the starting line up is blocked by the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Daniel Sturridge, but it will be good for Klopp to have him back as a rotational option next week nonetheless. We’ve seen in the past that Lallana is a favourite of Klopp’s, but the England international’s constant injuries have meant that the German has been unable to rely on him. Perhaps he will soon find fitness for an extended period of time.
