Liverpool
Liverpool Team News: Duo Ruled Out But Klopp Confirms Double Fitness Boost
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that two key men will miss Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow but two others will return to fitness
Liverpool will be looking to guarantee their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League when they take on Spartak Moscow at Anfield 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 offered a team news and injury update.
The Reds boss was pleased to confirm a double fitness boost with defenders Joe Gomez and Ragnar Klavan set to return to the squad tomorrow night.
Gomez missed Saturday’s 5-1 victory at Brighton due to illness while Klavan was only deemed fit enough to be named as an unused substitute at the Amex Stadium as he was also feeling the effects of illness.
However, the duo returned to full training on Monday and Klopp says they are now expected to be in contention for a starting spot against Spartak on Wednesday night.
Liverpool will, however, have to make-do without Joel Matip as the defender will once again miss out due to a thigh injury amid reports he could be ruled out until Christmas.
Adam Lallana is also still not available for selection again as the midfielder is working his way back to full fitness after suffering a setback having recently returned from a serious thigh injury.
Klopp is quoted as saying by the Liverpool Echo.
“They [Gomez and Klavan] look better, much better. They were training yesterday, and I expect they will today.
“Ragnar and Joe are back, Joel and Adam Lallana not.”
“No, Adam will not be in the squad for this game tomorrow, but he is on a very good way. That’s what we thought actually the whole time, and we want to build him up with his fitness and all that stuff.
“He is keen, how you can imagine, but meanwhile he is old enough to know there are a lot of important years to come for him, a lot of important games to come for him, and it’s not about coming somehow in the next one – it’s about being best prepared for all the rest.”
The return to fitness of Gomez and Klavan will come as a boost to Klopp as he was forced to deploy midfielders Gini Wijnaldum and Erme Can at centre-back against Brighton.
Liverpool head in to the game tomorrow sitting one point clear of Sevilla at the top of Group E and three points clear of third-placed Spartak so Klopp will be desperate to win in order to book their place in the last-16 as group winners.
