Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp missed the game at Anfield against Sunderland last time around. He is already back to business after having his appendix removed by a surgery and has attended the press conference before the second leg of the FA Cup tie against West Ham.
On being back in business so early after a surgery, the German said, “I feel good. A lot of people have had this before.”
As expected, the walkout at Anfield was the first thing he was asked about. And Klopp handled it without giving away much. He said, “It’s not too easy for me. Now I know it’s my problem too. Anything I’d say now would make it more complicated.”
“It’s not what we want. We want fans to stay until the game is finished. I have to collect more information.”
He also added that it will be in the best interests for the club and the player to find a solution as quickly as possible.
The manager gave some great news on star striker Daniel Sturridge and said that he was looking sharp on training. He hinted that the England number 9 might start the game against West Ham on Tuesday.
Klopp said, “We haven’t decided on starting line up yet. He was fit enough to be on bench on Sat. Very impressive in Friday’s session.”
Klopp also revealed that Phillipe Coutinho and Divock Origi are back in training and said that they are fit enough to be a part of the game against the Hammers.
However, he explained that it would be hard for all the three of them to take part in that game. Klopp said, “We would have liked to, but the game had a different story with a few early changes.
“It’s complicated with changing so we have to look at who will start. They can’t start all together because the whole game would be too much for all three.”
Talking about the youngsters who bought this tie to the second round and giving them some game time, Klopp said, “Today a few players are off but tomorrow we will make a squad. It will not be like Exeter because a lot of players are available and it will be good for them to play.
“Never in my life have I had a problem with confidence! It’s easier to be brave against Exeter – but it was necessary to be brave against West Ham in the first game. But not too brave.”
Jurgen Klopp seems to have recognized that Dimitri Payet will be the main man for the Hammers on Tuesday and spoke about the players influence on the game. He also pointed out that Liverpool should keep him quite to have a chance in this game.
He said, “I knew him before at Marseille. You should not try to find a solution only for Payet, the solution is to avoid the passes to him and then it’s not possible for him to have an influence on the game.
“We have no player to follow him all the way to the restroom!
“If we play to our best, and some things were very good against Sunderland, we have to bring it to the pitch consistently and in different formations.”
To finish off, Klopp laughed off when asked if he would have to keep his emotions in check in the game against West Ham. The Liverpool manager usually gets animated on the touch line but will have to be patient as this game comes too close to a surgery to be back to normal for the German.
He said, “I’m experienced enough to know. I’m not going to jump or something when I have a few holes in my body!
“I can’t win the game with my emotions. No worries.”