Jurgen Klopp has hinted he would have no qualms partnering new Liverpool signings Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies at Leicester City as he grapples with yet more centre-back woe. When asked how Kabak and Davies have settled during training since their arrival at the start of last week, Klopp underlined why there would be no issue starting the duo.
Jurgen Klopp said “They are calm people, both Ben and Ozan, They are willing to learn, great attitude. They really throw themselves into everything ahead of them, which is what a defender should do. They are making big steps in adapting to the way we play. Again, that’s important. We have still a clear way to defend, which is important. If both of them would be on the pitch then there are still nine players used to what we have done before – and if two players do something completely differently then that would lead to a strange situation. It’s all good so far. Now we have to make a decision. We have to change again because of Fab and now we will see which solution we will take.”
Jurgen Klopp said “Am I worried about the travel? No, not really,” he said. “It’s something we cannot change and have no influence on it at all. We just wait for the moment when somebody tells us where we have to play. The flight to Hungary is obviously longer than to Germany for the first game, maybe an hour, that’s a difference but not the main difference. Leipzig have to fly there as well, obviously. Where we play the second game, I don’t know yet. Depends on a few decisions. We are again not involved in them. It would be much nicer if we were allowed to play in Leipzig and especially to play at Anfield but it’s not in our hands. I didn’t really think about it, we just accept the decision and prepare the game after the Leicester game.”
Fabinho is out of Saturday’s Premier League clash having suffering another muscle issue to again join long-term injury victims Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip on the sidelines. Jordan Henderson could continue in the heart of defence while Nat Phillips, who has featured in three of the last four top-flight games, is also on standby.
