Klopp Talk: “Now It’s up to Us”

When it’s José Mourinho and the most expensive squad in all of football setting up with ten behind the ball, Jürgen Klopp is quick to signal his disappointment. When it’s a League Two side, minnows up against a Premier League giant, it’s a little easier to accept a defensive approach from your opposition.

“All my respect,” was Klopp’s response when asked about Plymouth Argyle’s exceptionally defensive approach that earned them a nil-nil draw and a third round FA Cup replay tomorrow night. “It was a really concentrated defensive performance, and all the credit is to Plymouth for it. Now it’s up to us.

“We cannot wait to try to counter-attack, but there are possibilities to try to speed up the game. We have to find a way. Usually they play [more attacking football], but to get to the next round as a League Two team they should defend. It makes sense. But I don’t expect them to defend like at Anfield.”

However Plymouth line up, it’s likely to be a young lineup again for Liverpool. Nathaniel Clyne is certain to miss out, as Klopp wants to give him at least a few more days of rest to recover from a strained muscle in his ribs that was impacting his breathing. Lucas, with a swollen knee, is also unlikely to feature.

Meanwhile, youngster Harry Wilson was held out of Monday’s U23 match and could be set to make his senior Liverpool debut, with a bench appearance at the very least on the cards for the 19-year-old Welsh international who has been at Liverpool’s academy since the age of nine.