Jurgen Klopp feels Liverpool are “on the edge” of a full-blown injury crisis even though it appears many of his walking wounded are on the verge of returning.
The Merseysiders have had to cope with numerous absences over recent weeks, with several key players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai all sidelined at various points.
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All three have an outside chance of facing Norwich at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday but Klopp is also wary of picking up any more injuries ahead of a packed schedule.
He said: “An injury crisis gives opportunities, in these specific cases the boys use them and that’s really nice.
“We got through that and now we’re really on the edge, nothing can happen anymore to be honest with you. We have the same amount of games coming up, we play all the time now. We need them all, we need them back.”
Robertson was on the bench for the 1-1 draw at Fulham last night in the second leg of the EFL Cup semi-final, a result that propelled Liverpool through to a Wembley meeting with Chelsea. The Scotland international is the closest to a return, although Klopp says there is an outside chance Alexander-Arnold and Szoboszlai could also feature against the Canaries.
He added: “There’s a chance for all of them but we will really have to see. It’s touch and go.
“Robbo is physically ready and I think it was good to have him in the matchday squad, and he’s completely in the normal team training schedule.
“Like Dom from tomorrow on. He had yesterday a session, today I think he has a day off as well and then from tomorrow on he is in completely normal. That means he is obviously ready for minutes.
“With Trent, is it already Norwich or is it the game after? We have to see. He was not in team training, not even parts of team training yet, so if he can be in tomorrow then I have to make a decision there.
“It would be absolutely very helpful if they all could be involved, but we have to see.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai have ‘a chance’ to feature in Sunday’s clash with Norwich City:
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) JANUARY 25, 2024
Liverpool also have Mohamed Salah in the treatment room with the Egypt international returning to Merseyside from the African Cup of Nations to continue his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury.
Salah’s decision to leave the national team in the Ivory Coast has drawn criticism back home even though both club and country have said it gives the player the best chance of returning should the Pharaohs reach the final on February 11.
Klopp is bemused by people questioning the former Chelsea man and insists the current situation is a “win-win”.
“Most people in Egypt understand the situation, because we have the same target as Egypt – make Mo fit as quickly as possible,” said Klopp.
“That’s all we want. That’s how it always is when a player is injured. We will always try to help him get fit as quick as possible.
“All parts agreed that it makes sense he does his rehab here so that is what we are doing now and we have a season to play so we want him fit. If he is fit earlier, if Egypt is still in the tournament, he will go back. That’s clear. It’s a win-win if you want.”
