Jurgen Klopp confirms doubts over Liverpool duo being fit for Arsenal and Man Utd games

PHILIPPE COUTINHO is facing a month out with a hamstring injury and Dejan Lovren will also miss Liverpool’s showdowns with Arsenal and Manchester United next week as the club’s injury epidemic bites hard.

 

Jurgen Klopp looks set to be without Liverpool stars Philippe Coutinho and Dejan Lovren

 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp delivered the grim medical bulletin today and admitted he will also be without Kolo Toure for tomorrow’s FA Cup Third Round tie at Exeter City.

Coutinho and Lovren both limped out of Tuesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final win over Stoke City with hamstring problems and Toure finished the game with cramp.

“Phil is more serious than Dejan and Kolo but none of the three players will be available tomorrow,” said Klopp.

 

“With muscle injuries you don’t know. Kolo was cramp but after three days you can’t play the next game.

“Dejan will be available after Manchester United. Phil may need one or two weeks longer. It’s rare it’s quicker, sometimes it’s longer.”

Liverpool will be without 11 players at Exeter - Lovren, Coutinho, Toure, Mamadou Sakho, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi, Danny Ings, Jordan Rossiter and Joe Gomez. Jon Flanagan is on his way back to fitness following 18-months out as well.

Klopp will blood a young team St James Park with the likes of Connor Randall, Cameron Brannagan, Brad Smith, Joao Teixiera all likely to feature.

 

Liverpool have recalled Ryan Kent from a loan spell at Coventry and Sheyi Ojo from Wolves, while Aston Villa have sent Tiago Ilori back to Anfield after cancelling his loan.

Ilori was due to train today and Klopp said: “Of course, we will make changes. We have to make decisions for the team. We have to find a solution to the current situation. We have to think about more than just one game.”

Liverpool are scouring the transfer market for reinforcements at centre-back, but Klopp recognised the difficulty of finding the right player.

“It is difficult to sign quality players,” he said. “We have to find the perfect solution. We have our eyes open.”