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While Liverpool got a good result against Dortmund on Thursday, the downside was that they lost captain Jordan Henderson to a knee injury. Though it won't require surgery, Henderson will still be out several weeks. In his pre-Stoke press conference, Klopp gave an update on the captain's situation. While he was realistic, he nonetheless kept a positive outlook on it when questioned:
"It’s serious but it’s not that serious that there is no hope for us for maybe the last one or two games," he stated. "It’s clear there is still hope for the European Championships.
"For us, Hendo is a very, very important player. He’s been getting better and better and better in the last few weeks because he’s been getting his rhythm. He is obviously an important player for England too.
"There is not a final judgement or whatever so you can say there is no chance [he will play again this season] – there is a chance.
"It is isolated, nothing else. It is not good news but this is part of something like good news. We will do everything for him and for us so that he is back in the race as soon as possible.
"I can’t say anymore, you always have to wait. Each day you have to see what you can do or what you have to wait, but until now it’s the best you can get when you get a knee injury."
Jordan Henderson's season has been riddled with injuries, so the sooner he can recuperate from this latest setback, the better. Fans may have been hoping for Henderson to get a break this summer, but that's certainly not what the player wants with the Euros set to start in June.
More positive for Liverpool fans was the good news about injured players Lucas Leiva and Kevin Stewart. Both played 45 minutes in a closed door friendly against Burnley and should be available on Sunday.
"Lucas is back and could play yesterday for 45 minutes in a test game against Burnley," Klopp told reporters on Saturday afternoon. "Kevin Stewart could also play 45 minutes in this game. That’s what they needed, so we’ll have to make a decision.
"These two players are back and that’s very important for us. We have to make a decision about line-up, about system and a lot of things, but in the end we will have players in this positon for sure [against Stoke]."
With Henderson injured and Emre Can unavailable due to suspension, having Stewart and especially Lucas to add to Klopp's arsenal will be very useful in the midfield.