Klopp Unsure Of Sturridge Return, Hopes To Avoid FA Cup Replay

Klopp, meanwhile, will play a young side against West Ham in the FA Cup on Saturday after revealing the team he selected on Tuesday night for the Capital One Cup semi-final against Stoke ran 156km.

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge remains some way off a return to fitness, as the England worldwide struggles for consistency on his road to recovery.

The last meeting in the competition between the clubs was the unforgettable “Gerrard final” when the Reds lifted the trophy after a shootout win nearly a decade ago.

“Nobody wants a few games more but we are professional football players”.

Given the exertion of the Stoke game, changes will surely be made.

“Obviously when I came here we had to turn a few screws and try to make something different”, he added.

“The transition with the new manager and keep improving while getting a few players back”.

“I know they won and that puts more air into your lungs, but West Ham are a very good team”. We have to be really sensitive with all the information we get. “He got the job because there was issues and the club wasn’t going in the right direction, so he’ll need the time to make adjustments”.

However, qualification has come at a cost – extra time and penalties will have taken a lot out of a squad already decimated by injuries. Probably leaving some value on the moneyline as I wouldnt be surprised if the public pile onto Liverpool before the off. Still taking a goal headstart with the more consistant team always sounds a victor to me. He’s like a new player.

“There’s no doubt that he’s a very, very good player, how everybody knows”.

Dejan Lovren will return from a hamstring injury to partner on-loan Steven Caulker, who will make his full debut at centre-back.

The late evening FA Cup clash between Liverpool and West Ham United should be an absolute barn stormer.

“I don’t want a replay – I would like to win without a second game!” the German said.

The 5-4 victory over Norwich City might have given Liverpool FC the three points, but they have stark defensive problems which the Hammers can exploit to take the fixture to Upton Park, where they recently beat the Reds 2-0. “We have a big game on Tuesday against Aston Villa, but I really believe that we have a chance to knock them out”. I was like ‘why Liverpool?’. Attackers Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini are also sidelined with injury issues.