Lallana and Sturridge Back, No Henderson News, Sakho Avoids Ligament Damage
Looking to move on from the disappointing loss to Crystal Palace last time out, Liverpool will run out against Watford FC on Monday knowing full well that nothing but a win will be good enough as they bid to stay in the race for Champions League football next season. It’s been tough for the Anfield outfit since the turn of the year, but speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp had a bit of good news to share.
“Adam is back in team training today for the first time, which is very, very good news,” said the German manager, confirming that Lallana is back in contention for a spot in the squad. “Hendo is not on the pitch so far and there’s nothing new to say about [him],” added Klopp, before switching his focus back to something positive. “Daniel is in team training again today too, and that’s good. Now we have to train with the boys to see how they are, what shape they are in and then see what we can do with them.”
Along with the boys in his own squad, the Reds boss gave a quick update on the fitness of on-loan defender Mamadou Sakho after the Frenchman sustained a rather painful looking knee injury as Crystal Palace lost to Tottenham Hotspur midweek. The centre-back, who is expected to leave Anfield this summer, was stretchered off the pitch early in the second half. With his season almost certainly over, Sakho may return to his parent club — who will be hoping that his latest set-back won’t interfere with the £30mil price-tag they’ve attached to him.
“First of all, I think you saw the pictures with Mamadou, it looked really awful so it could have been nearly everything,” explained Klopp. “Since we got the images from Crystal Palace, we know there are no ligaments involved, so in a situation like this – and maybe not for Crystal Palace – but for the player it’s the best thing he could get,” continued the boss. “I think he is out for a few weeks, but that is something that will be good at the end, but at the end of the season each injury is a big blow because there is not a lot of time to recover.”