Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out that Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker will participate in Liverpool’s Europa League quarter-final against Atalanta on Thursday.
All three have been sidelined since February with injury, but have returned to training and look set to contribute to Liverpool’s trophy challenge in the ultimate weeks of the season.
Teenage midfielder Stefan Bajcetic, who has been sidelined since September, can be returning to training, but he could have to wait just a little longer to return to the primary team.
“We obviously took our time with the guys,” Klopp said. “It means they trained loads on their own. Diogo and Trent have been working within the group for two or three weeks and have been able to train very well. Yesterday was excellent.
“Stefan is just a little different because he was out for much longer, but now he’s also training with us longer. After an extended period of not playing football, I feel it is sensible to put him within the Under-21 squad after which see how he handles it.
“That’s not the plan for the opposite three guys. Now they are back in training and now we’ve got to see how we engage them and the way we use them. That we’d like them is evident, but we’d like them in the perfect possible shape and we wish to give them a certain rhythm.
“It’s at all times a challenge to reintegrate the lads, but given the standard they’ve, obviously it must be a bit easier and we are going to use them in the approaching days and weeks. I have not decided yet what that may mean for tomorrow.”
Liverpool’s injury problems have provided greater opportunities for young players, many of whom have given their reasons for continuing to be included in the squad.
Klopp welcomed the availability of a larger squad at a busy time of the season, but 21-year-old midfielder Harvey Elliott could be knocking on the door if he is not given a chance in the starting lineup.
“I want to be a player who leaves, not comes on,” Elliott said. “That doesn’t mean I’m not grateful to be on the pitch. I’m very grateful for every opportunity I get in a Liverpool shirt, but for me it’s about doing well and cementing my place in the team.
“I’m not a child anymore, I’m a man, I’m growing up fast, I feel like I have to take responsibility into my own hands. If that means knocking on the gaffer’s door, then it will have to happen. But at the same time I have to wait for my chances and I have to be patient.
Atalanta is sixth in the Serie A table and eliminated Sporting Lisbon in the previous round, but has won only two of its last nine matches.
Pep Guardiola described playing for the Bergamo team as like going to the dentist in 2019, and long-time manager Gian Piero Gasperini remains as coach.
“There are only great teams left in the competition now,” Klopp said. “It’s a truly amazing event and we know what Atalanta is about.
“Gasperini has been doing an amazing job there for years and it has always been difficult to play against Italian teams. Tactically, they are very disciplined and very dangerous in many areas, so we have to give everything to go to the next round after these two games.
There will be no flags on the Kop on Thursday evening as fans stage a protest against ticket price increases next season.
Klopp admitted he had mixed feelings on the matter, saying: “I definitely understand the concerns and the discussion. From my point of view, this is of course difficult to say.
“We want to have people in the stadium, we want it to be accessible to everyone. The club is doing a lot of good things, but I 100% understand where the fans are coming from and I’m sure they will find a solution.
“We should be certain that nothing comes between us and the fans.”
Credit : www.independent.co.uk
