Liverpool’s injury crisis easing ahead of Arsenal clash, Jurgen Klopp confirms

Klopp has been hit with an injury crisis with 11 first-team players carrying knocks of varying seriousness, and the German has been cutting loan spells short and scouring the transfer market to plug the gaps.

Premier League leaders Arsenal travel to Merseyside on the back of a 3-1 win over Sunderland in the FA Cup, while they have not lost against Liverpool in the last four matches between the sides.

Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger is expecting a “ferocious” tie at Anfield against Liverpool FC, while also backing Jurgen Klopp for success. “I’m still in favour of a winter break without losing traditions of English football, that is to play over Christmas and maybe have a break in January”. [The challenge we face is] to play our game at a good pace but we are used to that pressing. We will find a current plan for this game.

First-team regulars like Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Per Mertesacker will come back into the Arsenal team at Anfield and right-back Hector Bellerin believes such strength in depth bodes well for the months ahead.

The physical exertion required to succeed with such a method of play has been highlighted by some as a reason for the number of injuries accumulating at Liverpool – a theory Wenger dismissed.

The Reds take on Arsenal on Wednesday, followed by a game against fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday, and Klopp has been sweating on the fitness of his recognised, senior centre-backs.

“I actually didn’t know ’til the team (was announced)”, Masterson said. Every injury is an individual case.

“So there will be a moment when we have to decide whether it’s a risk or one we could try”, Klopp added. “They had a good manager before, they have a good manager now Klopp has the personality to do well”.

“The momentum creates confidence and confidence is vital at that level”, Wenger said.

Grujic has scored five times in 21 appearances this season for Red Star, who are 25 points clear at the top of the SuperLiga table.