Lovren and Grujic Target Leicester City Return

When Liverpool headed to Spain for their mid-season training camp this week, they left behind four injured first team players. Two of those, Danny Ings and Ovie Ejaria, aren’t expected to play again this season. For Dejan Lovren and Marko Grujic, though, the hope is that they will be able to return to full training next week.

If they can, both would be in contention to at least make the squad when Liverpool take on Leicester City on the 27th. Lovren would likely be in line to resume his role alongside Joël Matip in the starting eleven. Given both players were left behind to rehab at Melwood this week, this news comes as something of a surprise.

“That was the decision of the medical department,” manager Jürgen Klopp told the club’s official website. “We have fantastic people at home and they can take care of the players, which makes more sense. Hopefully, especially Dejan, they can come back to training when we come back on Sunday. That would be great.”

Part of Klopp’s reasoning for leaving the duo behind despite how close they are to returning is that he doesn’t want them feeling at loose ends, unable to train with the first team while away from home. It’s a situation that for some will contrast the unfortunate decision to try to include an injured Mamadou Sakho during pre-season.

“The same for Marko Grujic, who is close but not close enough to make the sessions with us,” continued the Liverpool manager. “And it’s not nice for a player when you’re close but you see this, so do your stuff and train in the moment so you can do it again. That’s all, there are no other reasons.”

With a little bit of luck, then, both will be ready to go next week when the squad return to Liverpool and begin their preparations for facing Leicester.