Jurgen Klopp after a 2-0 loss to the league leaders has a winnable game against Sunderland this weekend in the Barclays Premier League. It is not going to be easy for the Reds to take a result from this game given their recent form and also Sunderland’s performance against City in the mid week.
Ahead of the game, Jurgen Klopp said was asked about Alex Teixeira’s move to the Chinese Premier League and Klopp felt that it was ‘normal’.
“A lot of people in Europe talk about the power of England because of the TV deal. Maybe now it’s China.”
“It’s an individual decision. If you are 26 and get an offer like he did then everyone would think about it.” Klopp said.
“I have no problem with this. I don’t think it’s a sign in general.”
Reports emerged earlier this week that star striker Daniel Sturridge was seeking an exit from the club but the German manager laughed off the rumors and explained that it was not something he was thinking about.
“Why should I think about that? Who has suggested that? If somebody asks me something about this, I’m not interested in ‘suggestions’ — [there’s] nothing to say.
“Daniel’s back in training for two days, it’s great — so everything looks good at the moment.”
Klopp also revealed that Phillipe Coutinho and Divock Origi are back in training and said that it would give the whole team a boost for the remainder of the season.
“What’s good for us is good for him,” Klopp said. “Yesterday with Phil [Coutinho] and Divock [Origi], if you see these three players you know what you’ve missed. There’s absolutely nothing to say about it.
“What each player needs is consistent training — that’s normal. We tried everything we could to bring him back to training and now we are in a [position] where we hope we can get the benefit.”
However, defender Martin Skrtel had a set back on his way back to fitness as Klopp revealed that he will be out for few more weeks.
“We’ve had a problem with Martin Skrtel [getting] re-injured, he needs another two or three weeks, and so in the centre-half and offensive situations we’ve had our problems and in the end, you cannot believe how difficult it is to make a European squad.”
Klopp also explained his decision to omit Jon Flanagan from the Europa League squad and said that it was good for the club that he is back on the pitch and that he does not want to hurry him into too many games.
“With Jon, it was 18 months [out injured]? So the best news is that Jon is involved, back in the race and back on the pitch. That’s really good.
“But in this moment, it’s like it is – it’s really early after his injury, so we always have to be careful when he’s playing. I always get the [medical] advice, and Flanno needs two or three days’ recovery [after games] – not because he thinks he needs [it], but only because of the seriousness of the injury.
“And so I had to make decisions with the European squad. It’s not my hobby to disappoint players, especially not Flanno who has done nothing wrong until now. But it’s three games a week. We will have two more games in the Europa League for sure, but hopefully a lot more, and they’re always between other games.
Jurgen Klopp when asked about his row with Sam Allardyce in the reverse fixture, said that it was nothing that bothered him.
“It was never a story with Sam.
“The soft story? I have no problem. A lot of people have said worse things about me. “There’s no problem and I have big respect for Sam Allardyce.
“When we played first time against Sunderland I said then they would stay in the Premier League because Sam is there.
“We will shake hands.”
The Liverpool boss also said that his team will not dwell on the previous results and will try their best to get the most out of the game against Sunderland.
“It’s not just my team. It’s all like this.
“At Leicester it wasn’t our best day and what you could see was confidence makes a difference sometimes.
“I think we should not stay with that game too long. Now we have the next chance and that’s the most important thing.”