Jurgen Klopp clarifies that Simon Mignolet is now back-up keeper

Alexander-Arnold, Ejaria, Kevin Stewart, Marko Grujic and Danny Ings missed Sunday’s 2-0 under-23s win over Everton to train at Melwood in preparation for Spurs’ visit.

Daniel Sturridge scored twice as Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1 at Anfield to take their place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. “That’s only if nothing happens in training, then he will play 100%”. The next stage is to discover how those who impressed him so much on that occasion fare when given the opportunity to prove themselves at a higher standard.

Klopp added: “They are still good”.

“After the last worldwide break, I spoke to both of them and made that decision”. It’s good for their development and good for us that we can make the decisions about their futures at Liverpool.

“Players like Lloris, they are not machines”.

“We are not four, five, six nil in the lead but the atmosphere was really fantastic and that’s what we have to try to create again”.

The 23-year-old Germany global has been told by Klopp that he is first choice.

“It is not the same problem we had a year ago”.

“I don’t think there is anyone as good as him, to be honest, but that is my opinion and football is a game of opinions”.

Prior to the injury, he had established himself in the Liverpool side and earned a first senior cap for England. He has the right attitude and comes from West Derby, home to Melwood.

I tend to subscribe more to the latter philosophy. [Winks] can play there because he’s strong enough to play in that position alone.

“I would be a little bit less sensitive if I could say that’s his job to do, but I am sensitive and I know it’s not easy”.

Some of the club’s next generation could well start, but while fans were desperate to see more of Marcus Edwards from the kick-off, the 17-year-old’s knee injury means he will not be available even from the bench. One major takeaway that he was pleased with would be his team’s defense.

That has fuelled further talk of a title challenge but Klopp is not interested in outside opinions at this stage of the season. Of course I recognise the mood around LFC and it’s good, but we’re still in October. Winksy as a deep lying playmaker in a 4-1-4-1 would be a really interesting experiment, and I’d be curious to see if it’s at all effective.

“We deserved the win today and played a wonderful game to get the three points”. I’ve made that decision. They are doing well.

Sturridge said on Sky Sports: “When you have a lot of time when you’re through one-on-one, it can be easier sometimes”.

“There’s no way those players can’t be angry after the weekend, especially coming up against a team who have also ripped them apart”.