Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp addressed the media ahead of his side’s EFL Cup third round tie with Derby County at the iPro Stadium.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has vowed to name a strong line-up for tomorrow night’s clash with Derby County at the iPro Stadium, quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
There may be a temptation to make changes for the EFL Cup tie on the back of a strong start to the season for the Reds which has seen them pick up 10 points from their opening five Premier League games.
Klopp has confirmed that Roberto Firmino is back in training after missing Friday’s win over Chelsea with a groin injury, and will be fit for tomorrow night’s game at the iPro Stadium.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring their fourth goal
The Liverpool boss told reporters, as reported by the Liverpool Echo: “It’s all about taking risks in football – but not with players who are not 100 percent.
“Roberto is in training. We gave him yesterday (off) because medical department told me, he could have played but I decided no. They told me if we give him three days it will be perfect.”
The Liverpool boss has said he will field a strong side against the Championship club tomorrow evening, but it looks unlikely that Mamadou Sakho will be part of the Reds side.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates after the game
Klopp said: “He’s still working on his fitness. It’s a big difference to be match fit. It’s not about how the player feels, it’s about how I feel.
“Of course he is closer. But there’s a big difference between match fitness. That’s all.”
On the value of the competition itself, it seems that Klopp is determined for his side to show they want to go one better than last season – where they lost out on penalties to Manchester City in the final.
“We start in this competition to win it – but it is not important to talk about it, it’s important to show us.”
Leicester City’s Ahmed Musa in action with Liverpool’s Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson
One person that seems to have impressed so far this season since arriving is Joel Matip – with some suggesting he may be just the player needed to strengthen a defence that has been leaking goals for the past few seasons.
Klopp was very complimentary, saying: “If you lived or worked in Germany you would have known much more about him. It was pretty clear it would make sense to sign him.
“Tall players like him need physical fitness. He needed to create some physical strength.
“But there was never a doubt about his quality. It’s very important because of the situation in the centre-half position.”
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