Jurgen Klopp may be set for a very timely injury boost at Liverpool.
Victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield on Sunday will guarantee that Liverpool finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League.
This looked a very unlikely scenario only a few weeks ago but Klopp’s side are now on the brink.
And a certain Ozan Kabak may be back in Liverpool’s back four for the visit of the Eagles.
After beating West Brom last week, the Reds boss ruled the Schalke loanee out for the rest of the season, saying: “Ozan, no. Nobody is coming back from long-term injuries [this season].”
But The Mirror has reported that the 21-year-old centre-back may well return in time to face Roy Hodgson’s side on Sunday.
This would be one hell of a boost because although Rhys Williams has done okay in recent weeks, Kabak is a much more polished player and already has a good understanding alongside Nat Phillips in a back four that has been heavily changed already this season.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez haven’t kicked a ball under Klopp since October due to injury, while Joel Matip’s absence since January hasn’t done the Anfield club any favours either.
But Kabak – who signed on loan in January – and Phillips have certainly proven themselves an adequate combination and how Klopp would love to pair them together against Palace.
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