Injury blow for Liverpool

The German was more concerned by yet more injury woes as Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren succumbed to hamstring problems in a high-paced first half, while Toure was limping at the finish.

Liverpool last played on Tuesday, defeating Stoke City 1-0 in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final.

“Phil is more serious than Dejan and Kolo [Toure], but none of these three players will be available for Friday”, said manager Jurgen Klopp.

Coutinho has been a bit dodgy and selfish since coming back from his last injury, but he was our best chance of us rediscovering our form by knocking off Arsenal or United. Phil may need two to three weeks longer.

Liverpool had already recalled youngsters Ryan Kent and Sheyi Ojo in response to the growing injury crisis, and both are in contention to start in the FA Cup against Exeter City.

Centre-back Tiago Ilori, who was on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, is now back with his parent club after the two parties agreed to cancel the deal.

Liverpool’s hamstring curse is not a coincidence and Jurgen Klopp should consider softening his training methods, a leading physiotherapist has claimed.

What is even more worrying for the club is that the double blow takes their tally of hamstring problems up to at least five, with Martin Skrtel, Divock Origi and Jordan Rossiter also out with the same issue, while striker Daniel Sturridge is still rehabilitating from one.

When asked if he would take any players with him, Klopp joked: “Yeah, I’ll take a few players with me”.

Speaking from the studio at the Britannia the former Liverpool boss said Klopp’s preferred pressing style was a “big demand” on a player’s legs.

“Hopefully I can make my debut against Exeter in the FA Cup but I’ll have to see what happens.” he concluded.

“I am glad for Sam, such an experienced manager, that he has time to think about Liverpool’s problems – I don’t have time to think about this”, he said.

“So I think his philosophy will sometimes have ups and downs”.

Addressing journalists at the pre-match press conference he also confirmed the starting XI could be an unfamiliar one: “The team which plays tomorrow will want to win 100% but it will be a team that didn’t play too often together”.