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Some Liverpool supporters are planning a 77th minute walkout to protest top-end ticket prices rising to £77 next season, but it manager Jürgen Klopp won’t be on hand to see how that planned show of disaffection goes, as he won’t be at Anfield from the start today.
Klopp has been forced to visit the hospital ahead of the match this afternoon with what is suspected to be a case of appendicitis. At the very least, he won’t be able to be on hand while Liverpool attempt to get back on track in the league against relegation favourites Sunderland.
It has been suggested by some with connections to the club, including the Express’ Paul Joyce, that Klopp is likely to miss the West Ham FA Cup replay on Tuesday—as well as any of the buildup for that match. In his absence, assistant manager Zeljko Buvac will take charge.
The last time a Liverpool manager missed a match due to illness was in 2008, when kidney stones kept Rafa Benitez away from the sidelines.