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A pervasive problem that injuries throughout a squad pose for a team is the break-up of their consistent training regimen. When multiple players are out of training it creates irregularities in team tactics and dampens the mind-links between players. I’m sure it happens to every team. But I’m also sure that it only every happens to Liverpool.
The mid-season slump is upon us and peppered into those misery grits are the availability question marks over Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan.
Klavan has been ill and, because of his condition, has apparently shed a few pounds. But Jürgen Klopp had some good news on that front.
“Klavan will be back in full training today so we will see about him,” the manager said.
Ragnar’s inclusion in the team could become a major boost to Klopp if Lovren isn’t deemed fit for the match against Tottenham Hotspur. Dejan has been suffering through a knee injury which required a scan to determine the extent of the problem. Klopp was “not 100% sure” on Lovren’s availability for training today.
That certainly reads as a Lovren omission against Spurs. If so, it gets tricky. If the Croatian defender misses out and Klavan isn’t up to the start, that leaves Klopp to partner Joel Matip with either Lucas Leiva or Joe Gomez. Inhale, exhale, repeat.
On the Lallana business, there was optimism from the manager that the England international would be a part of proceedings after being out with an Achilles thing this week. Lallana missed two days of training and his absence most certainly contributes to that dampening of synergy in the squad.
“We hope he’ll train,” said Klopp.
You can’t really put your finger on one injured player who’s absence is felt most. Liverpool is struggling to score and struggling to keep from being scored upon. The only hope is that the players who are chosen to take the pitch can shirk off the despondency of the last month and do something good together. Yeah, at this point, I’ll settle for “good.” Is that defeatism? Or a step to recovery? My name is Matt. And I’m a Liverpool fan.