Liverpool Team News: Klopp Confirms Quadruple Injury Boost Ahead Of Saints Game

Liverpool will be looking to take control of the tie when they take on Southampton in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg at St Marys on Wednesday night.

Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given reporters a team news and injury update.

The Reds boss was pleased to confirm that the club suffered no new injury concerns following Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Plymouth Argyle in the third round of the FA Cup.

Klopp also confirmed a huge boost after revealing that Philippe Coutinho is set to return to the squad on Wednesday after stepping up his bid to regain full fitness in training.

The Brazilian international hasn’t played since damaging ankle ligaments against Sunderland in late November but the attacker is ready to make his comeback – although Klopp has suggested that Coutinho will only be named on the bench against the Saints.

Klopp is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo:

“I think Phil is fit enough to be part of the squad. That means then there could be minutes. How many, whatever, I don’t know. It depends on the game.

“He’s on a good way. It was six weeks, seven weeks, that’s long. He needs minutes in training especially, but of course as soon as possible he needs minutes in games. We will see. No final decision made until now.

“It was the third complete session he did with the team, tomorrow would be the fourth. It’s not that many, but for being in the squad I think it’s enough. We will see.”

The Liverpool boss also revealed that Joel Matip is stepping up his comeback following a few weeks out with an ankle injury while James Milner has been passed fit after a minor calf injury scare.

There was also a positive update on the fitness of Jordan Henderson with Klopp confirming that the skipper is in a ‘very good way’ after missing the last two matches with a heel injury.

In other team news, it looks like Loris Karius is set to keep his place between the sticks as Klopp says it’s ‘pretty likely’ the German youngster will keep his place ahead of Simon Mignolet as the Reds boss vows to play his strongest team.

Here is what else he told reporters today:

Klopp: No new injuries and all the rest of the way back. Coutinho trained again, Matip 'first steps' in team training.

— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) January 9, 2017

Klopp also says Milner 'no issues' and Henderson 'in a very good way'.

— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) January 9, 2017

Klopp: Wednesday, the best team we can play, that's how it is. Last year (two legs) a surprise, this year I'm used to it. All good.

— Kristian Walsh (@Kristian_Walsh) January 9, 2017

Klopp on GK for Southampton: "No final decision, but it is pretty likely Loris will play again."

— Joseph Musker (@Musker_LFC) January 9, 2017