Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided an update on the fitness of key men Georginio Wijnaldum and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
It was revealed after last week’s victory over Brighton & Hove Albion that Alexander-Arnold had picked up a knock, while Wijnaldum also suffered a knee problem in the game.
Klopp has pulled back the curtain on both players’ status: “Gini and Trent we will decide day by day,” he said at his pre match press conference, as cited by journalist James Pearce on his personal Twitter account.
“The exceptional part is that they both played 90 minutes [at Brighton]. Trent, what a boy! It was just what happened before the game, playing didn’t make it worse. It will be close for tomorrow.”
Klopp on injuries: "Gini and Trent we will decide day by day. The exceptional part is that they both played 90mins (at Brighton). Trent, what a boy! It was just what happened before the game, playing didn't make it worse. It will be close for tomorrow."
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 18, 2019
OPINION
This is interesting from Klopp. You assume that he is referring to Wijnaldum when he says ‘it will be close tomorrow’, given that The Independent reported this week that Alexander-Arnold was facing four weeks out with a knee ligament issue. It would have to be quite some recovery from the England international for him to be available to play on Saturday. Therefore it must be Wijnaldum who could end up featuring against Crystal Palace. That would be a huge boost for Klopp’s team. The Dutch star has been one of the Premier League’s best midfielders this season and Liverpool don’t function as well when he’s not playing. He’s been a fairly automatic selection for Klopp and there is a reason for that. Without him the Reds’ midfield looks a little one dimensional, and so the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be thrilled to potentially have him available against Roy Hodgson’s side.
